Due to violations of two anti-doping rules, former world no. 1 Halep, who had been on temporary suspension since October 2022, has been given a four-year suspension from competing in professional tennis.
Patrick Mouratoglou, Halep’s current coach and the former coach of Serena Williams, commented on the ban on social media.
Serena Williams, a legend in WTA tennis, was not impacted by her ban as news of it spread online. Williams referred to an earlier meetup in a comment she made on X, and it appears that Halep has been getting on her bad side ever since. The dislike has only gotten worse as Halep is supported by her former coach.
Halep’s hearing was finally concluded after a year of uncertainty. She received a temporary suspension after Roxadustat traces were discovered in her blood last year.
Mouratoglou stated his remarks after Halep’s suspension and wrote on her official Twitter account: “I know Simona’s integrity, and I have no doubt that she has never taken any banned substance. I sat through the entire two days of hearing with her, and I cannot believe that the tribunal has reached that decision based on the evidence and arguments I heard.”
He further said: “The process and the ITIA have been totally unfair to Simona, and it is totally unacceptable. I hope that Simona will prevail at CAS, which is the only tribunal not controlled by the ITIA.”
My statement on @Simona_Halep’s unfair situation : pic.twitter.com/czhsfcfBA2
— Patrick Mouratoglou (@pmouratoglou) September 12, 2023
Simona Halep in 2023
Ranked no.578, Halep played her last match on the 29th of August 2022 when she capitulated to world no.147 Daria Snigur 6-2 0-6 6-4 in the 1st round of the U.S. Open (draw).
Presently, during this year Simona owns a compiled 39-11 win-loss record.
Simona Halep |
| Embed from Getty Images |
