US Open take away former world No 1’s identify from draw resulting from doping suspension
A two-time Grand Slam winner and former world No 1 has seen her 2023 US Open marketing campaign finish earlier than it has even began. Simona Halep was topped Wimbledon champion in 2019 after defeating Serena Williams 6-2, 6-2 however the Romanian has been dropped from the draw for this yr’s American Grand Slam.
The 31-year-old’s exclusion is because of a provisional doping suspension. The US Tennis Association introduced that Halep, who additionally received the French Open in 2018, “was automatically withdrawn” when the match’s qualifying draw was undertaken.
She has been changed within the draw at Flushing Meadows by world No 134, America’s Taylor Townsend. Under affiliation guidelines a participant is ineligible to compete in or attend any sanctioned occasions throughout a provisional suspension.
According to the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), Halep examined constructive for the banned substance Roxadustat finally yr’s US Open. The drug is permitted for medical use within the European Union for treating the signs of anaemia attributable to continual kidney failure.
As per the Associated Press, the EU’s drugs company states that Roxadustat stimulates the physique to provide the pure hormone erythropoietin (EPO), which is a doping product recognized to be favoured by cyclists and runners.
In May, the previous world No 1 was accused of a second doping offence for irregularities in her Athlete Biological Passport. According to tennisuptodate.com, Halep has claimed that she has taken 10 subsequent exams since her constructive check, all of which returned adverse.
At final yr’s US Open the Romanian was seeded seventh however misplaced within the first spherical to the Ukraine‘s Daria Snigur.
Halep tried to clear her identify in February however a listening to was delayed a number of occasions. The tribunal has since taken place however the verdict has been delayed. After receiving her second cost in May, she launched a livid assertion, taking purpose on the ITIA.
She mentioned: “Since October 7, when I got charged by the ITIA for a suspicion of doping, I have lived the worst nightmare I have ever gone through in my life.
“Not solely has my identify been dirty within the worst attainable manner, however I’m dealing with a continuing dedication from the ITIA for a motive that I can not perceive, to show my guilt whereas I have never EVER even considered taking any illicit substance.
“I feel helpless facing such harassment and a motivation on their behalf to prove me guilty of something I never did. Once again, all my life I have been totally against any sort of cheating. It doesn’t align with my values.”