Simona Halep is one of the most exciting and correct players on the WTA tour. Unfortunately, the former world number 1 has to face an extremely tough moment after being suspended for doping.
According to reports, Simona tested positive for Roxadustat in a sample provided at the US Open. 2 samples were analyzed and both were positive. Simona already decided to take a prolonged break after the US Open to have a nose operation. Probably, she already knew what was about to come.
6 years ago, Maria Sharapova hit the headlines for the same reason after she was found positive to meldonium.
The Statement
This is the official statement from theInternational Tennis Integrity Agency. It is still not clear when Simona will be cleared to be back to competitions.
London, 21 October 2022:
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has confirmed that Simona Halep, a 31-year-old Romanian tennis player, has been provisionally suspended under Article 7.12.1 of the 2022 Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP). The ITIA sent the player a pre-charge notice of an Anti-Doping Rule Violation on 7 October 2022 under Article 2.1 of the Programme (presence of a Prohibited Substance in a Player’s Sample) and/or Article 2 2 (Use of a Prohibited Substance without a valid TUE).
Halep, who has a WTA ranking of 9. provided a sample whilst competing at the US Open in August 2022. The sample was split into A and B samples and the subsequent analysis found that the A sample contained FG-4592 (Roxadustat), which is a prohibited substance listed in the 2022 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List. Adverse Analytical Findings for non-specified substances carry a mandatory provisional suspension
The player exercised their right to request that the B sample was analysed, which confirmed the finding in the A sample While provisionally suspended, the player is ineligible to compete in or attend any sanctioned tennis events organized by the governing bodies of the sport.
The ITIA is the delegated third party, under the World Anti-Doping Code of the International Tennis Federation, the international governing body for the sport of tennis and signatory of the Code The ITIA is responsible for the management and administration of anti-doping across professional tennis in accordance with the 2022 TADP.
Simona Halep in 2022
Ranked no.9, Halep played her last match on the 29th of August when she lost to world no.116 Daria Snigur 6-2 0-6 6-4 in the 1st round of the U.S. Open (draw).
Currently, during this year Simona has achieved a composed 39-11 match record. The Romanian clinched 2 titles in 2022 in Melbourne and Toronto.
Simona Halep |
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