PARIS – Former world No. 1 Simona Halep has asked to be judged by an independent tribunal after being charged by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) with a further and separate breach of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP) on Friday.
The 31-year-old former Wimbledon and French Open champion has been provisionally suspended since October 2022 after testing positive for banned blood-booster roxadustat – which stimulates the production of red blood cells – at the US Open in August.
She called on tennis’ anti-doping body to allow her to clear her name, questioning the long delay in her doping hearing after being denied the right to be heard by an independent court.
“I have lived the worst nightmare I have ever gone through in my life,” said the Romanian in a statement on Twitter.
“Not only has my name been soiled in the worst possible way, but I am facing a constant determination from the ITIA for a reason that I cannot understand, to prove my guilt while I haven’t EVER even thought of taking any illicit substance.”
Halep, who has strongly denied knowingly taking the banned substance, said she has evidence to show that small amounts of the anaemia drug entered her system from a licensed supplement that was contaminated.
“I tried two times to have the opportunity to be judged by an independent tribunal but the ITIA has constantly found reasons to postpone,” she added.
“The only thing I hope for, at this point, is to have the possibility to finally access the independent and impartial judges in a tribunal, that will give me the chance to prove my innocence.
“I have full trust in justice and I look forward to finally being able to present my case at my hearing that is scheduled at the end of May, after several delays by the ITIA.”
The additional charge relates to irregularities in Halep’s Athlete Biological Passport (ABP), based on an assessment of her profile by an independent ABP Expert Panel.
The ABP programme monitors biological data over time to identify potential doping violations.
“We understand that today’s announcement adds complexity to an already high-profile situation... We have remained committed to engaging with Ms Halep in an empathetic, efficient, and timely manner,” said Nicole Sapstead, senior director for anti-doping at the ITIA, in a statement.
“It would be inappropriate for us to comment on specifics until the conclusion of the process, but we will continue to engage with the Sport Resolutions independent tribunal and Ms Halep’s representatives as expeditiously as possible.”
Halep had said after her positive test last October that she would “fight until the end” to clear her name.
“Knowingly, I have not taken any banned substance,” she insisted.
“I am a big supporter of clean sports and have always been against doping.
“I had no clue at the beginning about where this substance came from.” REUTERS, AFP
