With the announcement of Simona Halep’s four-year doping suspension, Serena Williams turned to social media to disparage her former rival.
The former World No. 1 Halep will be prohibited from competing for four years owing to drug breaches, according to a statement released today by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).
The Romanian athlete’s suspension was temporarily lifted in October of last year after she tested positive for the drug roxadustat at the 2022 US Open. She was charged with a second doping accusation in May of this year due to anomalies in her biological passport.
Halep has frequently voiced her unhappiness with the case’s delays, but now she has received the unwelcome news. Halep voiced her amazement and dismay after the judgement was announced and said she would appeal the choice.
Serena Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion and tennis superstar, appears to have no sympathy for Halep, though. The American player sent a succinct yet impactful message on X to express her feelings. She wrote: “8 is a better number.”
Fans soon deduced that Williams was saying that Halep should receive an eight-year suspension rather than a four-year one despite the fact that the tweet does not specifically mention the two-time major champion by name.
Moreover, the number 8 is linked specifically to the 2019 Wimbledon final, in which Williams was defeated by Halep in straight sets. The now 41-year-old would have won her eighth championship at the All England Club if the outcome had been different.
Moreover, this would have been Williams’ 24th major singles championship, a feat she attempted for a while but eventually failed to accomplish before her retirement in September 2022.
The fans reactions
Many fans were not impressed by Serena’s comments. These are some remarks.