Eugenie Bouchard instantly reacts to Simona Halep ban after salty feedback
Eugenie Bouchard posted a sly dig on social media following Simona Halep’s ban from tennis. The Romanian is suspended for 4 years after breaching the game’s Anti-Doping Program on two events.
The news has shaken the tennis world and now 2014 Wimbledon runner-up Bouchard has had her say on the matter. She took to social media account X and wrote: “I was told not to tweet today”, which is an oblique reference to Halep’s suspension.
The pair do not seem like on the friendliest of phrases, with Halep confirming the pair do not communicate. Halep has beforehand advised media: “I didn’t wish good luck to Bouchard because we don’t speak, actually. She’s different, I can say. I cannot judge her for being this. I cannot admire her for being this. I have nothing to say about her person.”
Canadian Bouchard’s message can also be in connection to earlier feedback on doping fees in opposition to WTA participant Dayana Yastremska and former star Maria Sharapova.
She performed each gamers on the Madrid Open after they’d examined constructive for banned substances. In a now-deleted tweet, the 29-year-old mentioned: “There’s something about playing dopers in Madrid,” after defeating Yastremska within the first spherical of the Madrid Open in April of this 12 months. At the start of 2021, Yastremska was banned for doping, however six months later all fees had been dropped and he or she returned to the tour in June of that 12 months.
In 2017, Bouchard beat Sharapova in Madrid after she was handed a two-year ban after testing constructive for meldonium in January 2016. However, the Russian’s identify was cleared and he or she was in a position to return to the tour ahead of initially anticipated, which angered the previous World No. 5.
In an explosive interview with Turkish broadcaster TRT World in 2017, Bouchard mentioned: “She is a cheater. So, to me, I don’t think a cheater in any sport should be allowed to play that sport again. It’s so unfair to all the other players who do it the right way and are true.” Therefore, given her earlier feedback about gamers who’ve been related to doping, Bouchard selected her phrases fastidiously following Halep’s ban, which the two-time Grand Slam champion refuses to just accept.
“Today, a tribunal under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme announced a tentative decision in my case,” she mentioned in a press release. “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 just accept their choice of a four-year ban.” The 31-year-old was already serving a provisional suspension after testing positive for banned blood-booster roxadustat after the 2022 US Open. The drug increases the production of red blood cells and helps boost levels of endurance.
Halep’s ban means she will not be able to return to the WTA tour until Oct. 7, 2026, when she will be 35 years of age. She thanked her loved ones and fans for their support and she vowed to clear her name.
“I’m eternally grateful for the outpouring of help I’ve acquired from my household, pals, and tennis followers all over the world,” Halep added. “I’m persevering with to coach and do all the pieces in my energy to clear my identify of those false allegations and return to the courtroom. I intend to attraction this choice to The Court of Arbitration for Sport and pursue all authorized cures in opposition to the complement firm in query.”