Halep hammered with doping ban as long-running case decided

Simona Halep was slammed on Tuesday with a four-year doping ban as the long-running case of the former world No. 1 finally ended at the hands of an independent tribunal,

Tennis anti-doping bosses charged that a positive September, 2022, test for the Romanian who won Roland Garros in 2018 and Wimbledon a year later was enough to effectively end the career of the 31-year-old who has long protested her innocence.

Halep tested positive for the anemia treatment roxadustat at the US Open last year.

The legit medication is on the WADA Prohibited Substance list, identified in tennis as a blood doping agent, which increases haemoglobin and the production of red blood cells.   

   Halep, 31, was also found in breach of details on her Athlete Biological Passport..  

The player was suspended for four years, ending in October, 2026.

The popular competitor has been defended from the start by colleagues and others in the sport.

She recently called for a decision to allow her to get on with her life and also testified last June in London hearings on the case. 

But the secret tribunal found her guilty on the doping charges on Monday, citing two violations: the roxadustat in a urine sample and the player passport violation, which comprises 51 blood samples taken over a period of months or years to establish a profile

Halep said her sample had been tainted but the panel ruled otherwise.

“We do understand the significant public interest in these cases and remain committed to being as transparent as possible and the full decision will be published in due course,”anti-doping supremo Karen Moorhouse said.

“After a complex and rigorous hearing process, we welcome the independent tribunal’s decision.   
   
“The volume of evidence for the tribunal to consider in both the roxadustat and ABP proceedings was substantial.    
   
“The ITIA (anti-doping body) has followed the proper processes as we would with any other individual – in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code – fulfilling our purpose and responsibility to uphold the principle of fair competition, on behalf of the sport.” 

Main photo:- Simona Halep lifts the Venus Rosewater Dish on the Members’ Balcony after winning the Ladies’ Singles final. The Championships 2019. Credit: AELTC/Thomas Lovelock.