Top Romanian tennis players stand with Halep amid positive drugs test: "I know how hard it is to make it to the top, especially when you come from a small country"

Fellow Romanian players have come out in support of Simona Halep who was provisionally banned from tennis after a positive doping test.

Simona Halep was banned from tennis recently after her test came up positive for a banned substance. The former number one promised to fight for the truth and many have spoken out in her favour since then. A lot of them were fellow Romanian tennis players who shared their messages of support on social media.

Jacqueline Cristian wrote:

"I grew up watching her matches and lifting trophies, I looked up to her as a great player and I took her as an inspiration because I know how hard it is to make it to the top, especially when you come from a small country like Romania. She is a true champion and I strongly believe she didn’t cheat or take anything from that doping list! Stay strong and fight your way out of this! I’m sure things will turn around well for you!"

Another player, Mihaela Buzarnescu wrote:

"Simona Halep, fingers crossed for you. We all know what a fighter you are."

Sorana Cirstea wrote this:

"Although we may not be the best of friends, I know Simona well enough for decades to strongly believe that she would never willingly and in good faith touch any doping substance. The sport of tennis represents fair play and puts rivalries aside. She is a great player that I believe won through her own merits."