Simona Halep
After a four-year doping penalty was shortened to nine months, former Wimbledon champion Simona Halep promised to return to tennis with “renewed vigor and an invigorated spirit.”
Simona Halep
Following an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Halep, 32, had the initial sentence revoked, which gave her cause to believe that her career may be ended (Cas).
The former world champion is welcome to join the circuit again as soon as feasible.
“This experience has demonstrated tenacity,” she posted on Instagram.
“The triumph of truth is a bittersweet vindication that, albeit delayed, is immensely gratifying.”
The Romanian, the winner of the 2018 French Open and the 2019 Wimbledon Open, has not participated in a competitive match since August 2022 due to a drug test failure at Flushing Meadows.
After the forced hiatus, she is unranked and will not be able to compete in WTA events without wildcards at first.
On appeal, Halep’s doping ban was lowered.
Rozadustat is an anti-anemia medication that causes the body to produce more red blood cells, and Halep tested positive for it.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) charged Halep again in May 2023, this time for anomalies in her athlete biological passport (ABP).
Halep received a four-year suspension after an independent report—commissioned by the ITIA—found that she had “intentionally” doped.
After appealing the verdict, Halep received news on Tuesday that her case had been partially upheld. Cas concluded that Halep had not taken roxadustat “on the balance of probabilities” purposefully.
Cas rejected the accusation related to the differences in her athlete’s biological passport.
Halep’s nine-month punishment was shortened and retroactively applied to the beginning of her provisional suspension in October 2022, allowing her to compete again in the next weeks.
According to Halep, the decision was a “pivotal moment” that offered “clarity”.
Had the first ban until October 2026 been in effect, her permit to return would have coincided with her 35th birthday.
“In the midst of this challenging journey, my unwavering belief in the integrity of the truth and in the principles of justice has been my beacon,” she stated.
“Looking forward, I am eager to turn this page and rejoin the tour with renewed vigour and an invigorated spirit.”
BY,HHM