By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday April 27, 2023
The Romanian gave an exclusive to Tennis Majors in which she expressed frustration with the delays in her anti-doping hearing.
Photo Source: AP
It has been seven months since Simona Halep was provisionally suspended for an doping violation. Since that time the former World No.1 and two-time major champion has been biding her time, waiting for her chance to tell her side of the story and prove her innocence.
But she’s grown impatient. After having her hearing delayed several times, Halep has given an exclusive to Tennis Majors to tell her side of the story.
“I wanted to stay silent until the case would be solved. I didn’t want to get out and talk because it was very emotional,” Halep said. “And actually, as I said, I couldn’t handle it very well. But now I feel the need to speak out loud to my supporters, my fans, and to the public because I am sure they really want to know why it’s taking so long and I really felt the need to do that.”
Halep, who faces a potential four-year ban, told Tennis Majors that she had two experts test her samples and both determined that she had taken supplements that had unknowingly been contaminated with the banned substance roxadustat.
Editor's Note: Roxadustat is a banned performance-enhancing drug with effects similar to erythropoietin (EPO), the blood-doping drug that has previously been linked to pro cycling
“I cannot disclose the names of the experts yet but they are both extremely experienced, and each of them independently found that the supplement was contaminated with roxadustat,” Halep said, adding: "Knowingly, I have not taken any banned substance. I am a big supporter of clean sports and have always been against doping."
31-year-old Halep says she has had two hearings with the ITF cancelled, and has been denied the chance to state her case.
“A hearing on February 28th didn’t happen because the ITF requested more time to do additional testing,” she said, adding that the hearing was postponed until March 24. The ITF requested that the hearing on March 24th should be cancelled.
“I did not agree with that because as the rule says, a player that is provisionally suspended is entitled to get an expedited hearing. Everything takes so long. I asked the ITF to lift my sanction to be able to play but they also refused it,” Halep said.
Reportedly, a May 28th hearing is in the works, but it is unconfirmed. In the meantime, Halep waits and watches as her opportunity to play her beloved Roland-Garros passes by.
“I’m not asking for special treatment. I just ask to be judged. How much longer is this going to take?” Halep said.