Simona Halep has seemingly reiterated she is refusing to give up on making a comeback to tennis following her doping ban after posting a video of her practising.
The Romanian star was handed a four-year ban from the sport for “intentional” doping offences by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) last month.
The two-time Major champion swiftly announced she would appeal the decision and has denied having “knowingly or intentionally used any prohibited substance.”
Halep had been provisionally suspended since October 2022 having tested positive for the banned substance Roxadustat at last year’s US Open. The 32-year-old, who was subsequently charged with irregularities in her Athlete Biological Passport (ABP), has not played since her opening round defeat to Daria Snigur at the 2022 US Open.
The former world No 1 shared a video of her on court – with the song ‘Never Give Up’ by Sia playing – on her Instagram account.
The ITIA confirmed in September that both the charges for Halep’s positive test for Roxadustat, and for the irregularities in her Athlete Biological Passport (ABP), had been upheld, with an independent tribunal suspending her for four years for breaches of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP).
The tribunal, established by Sport Resolutions, met on 28 and 29 June 2023 in London, and heard from expert scientific witnesses on behalf of Halep and the ITIA, with the 32-year-old also giving evidence directly to the panel as part of proceedings.
Roxadustat is a substance legitimately used for the treatment of anaemia but is on the WADA Prohibited Substance list as it is considered a blood doping agent, which increases haemoglobin and the production of red blood cells.
In a statement released by Halep announcing she would appeal the ban, she said: “Today, a tribunal under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme announced a tentative decision in my case.
“The last year has been the hardest match of my life, and unfortunately my fight continues. I have devoted my life to the beautiful game of tennis.
“I take the rules that govern our sport very seriously and take pride in the fact I have never knowingly or intentionally used any prohibited substance. I refused to accept their decision of a four-year ban.”
Halep won her maiden Grand Slam title at the 2018 French Open with a three-set victory over Sloane Stephens in the final. The Romanian then produced a stunning display to down Serena Williams 6-2, 6-2 in the 2019 Wimbledon final to claim her second Major crown.
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