Simona Halep has criticized the anti-doping organizations in tennis for repeatedly postponing her independent tribunal hearing and denying her the opportunity to defend herself against a rule violation.
Halep, a two-time grand slam champion and former No. 1 in the world, has been provisionally suspended since October after testing positive for the drug Roxadustat following her first-round defeat at the US Open. Roxadustat is predominantly an anti-anemia medication that stimulates the production of red blood cells in the body. Halep denies intentionally ingesting the prohibited substance.
Halep was hopeful that her February 28 hearing would determine her Indian Wells eligibility. Since January 2022, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has administered anti-doping examinations. On Friday morning, the ITF denied any involvement in the affair, despite Halep’s fury.
The Tennis Anti-Doping Programme is administered and enforced on behalf of the ATP, WTA, ITF, and Grand Slams by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), according to an ITF statement.
A spokesperson for the ITIA stated, “The process is ongoing and is being conducted by the World Anti-Doping Code.”
Speaking publicly for the first time since announcing the anti-doping regulation violation. Halep stated that the February hearing was ultimately postponed to March 24 due to the ITF’s need for additional testing time, but that date was also postponed. The new date for Halep’s tribunal hearing is May 28, the first day of the French Open.
“The next step is a hearing at the end of May, on the 28th. But it is extremely precarious as the ITF has stated that they may cancel it as well,” she explained. “If they do that, it will have been nearly eight months since I was provisionally suspended for the first time. And I don’t believe it’s fair for me to go eight months without even being assessed by the tribunal.
Halep continued in an interview with Tennis Majors, “Emotionally, the entire period has not been easy. And I just felt the need to speak out loud to my fans, my supporters, and the entire public.” Patrick Mouratoglou, Halep’s coach, is listed on the faculty of Tennis Majors.
Halep claims that she consulted “experts” who provided her with evidence that she inadvertently ingested contaminated supplements due to an error made by the supplement manufacturer. Halep claims the ITF rejected her testimony in December and proceeded with an anti-doping trial. And Halep refused to identify the consultants because she has retained them for her tribunal.
“I didn’t know how to eat it or why it was in my urine. Halep stated, “After extensive investigation. It was determined that there was a contamination, a tainted supplement, which explains why the amount was so, so low in my body.”
Halep claims she has continued to train and remains motivated to return to professional tennis and reestablish herself at the top. But at age 31, each day spent on the sidelines makes a comeback more challenging. Also Halep asserts that her primary concern is finally having the chance to defend her case.
“Seven months have passed since I was initially suspended, despite having all the evidence since December,” she said. “I am not requesting special treatment. I just seek to be judged. How long will this process continue?”
