"They judged me on scenarios. There is no proof. It’s just insane.": Halep denies any wrongdoing

Tuesday, 19 September 2023 at 19:00

Simona Halep once again defends herself against doping allegations and denies any wrongdoing

The saga continues regarding the suspension of the former world No. 1 from the WTA Tour for four years due to doping charges. Simona Halep tested positive for Roxadustat, a prohibited substance under the World Anti-Doping Agency code (WADA) and the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP).

The tribunal ruled that Halep had violated anti-doping rules and that the ingestion of Roxadustat would have been intentional. Additionally, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) accused her of a second charge related to inconsistencies in her biological passport.

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The 2-time Grand Slam champion has repeatedly denied the charges against her and stated this time in Front Office Sports that she was convinced the tribunal would rule in her favor.

"I was confident after the hearing because there were so many things that made no sense and that are not fair. When I received the decision, I was in complete shock. I could not believe that they suspended me for four years when we found the contamination and my blood was totally normal," Halep said.

"They didn’t find anything bad in my blood. It’s crazy that they made this decision with everything. They judged me on scenarios. There is no proof. It’s just insane," she added.

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"Mentally, it’s been a disaster for me because I wasn’t expecting something like this. I’ve always been careful with what I put in my body, and I have never taken something without checking. So, it is a shock."

"Tennis is tough to focus on. I need to stay healthy. It’s emotional (being on the tennis court). When you are drained emotionally, you can get hurt physically. I am trying to protect myself, so I will keep going to the gym to stay in shape," former world No. 1 concluded.

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Simona Halep will be ineligible to compete until October 2026. She is set to appeal the ruling.

3:50 PM · Sep 12, 2023

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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