Simona Halep claims doping verdict ‘delayed’ as she discusses ’emotional toll’

Former world no. 1 Simona Halep says she is but to have affirmation surrounding her doping listening to in May. The two-time Grand Slam champion was provisionally suspended final yr after a constructive doping check and has since been charged with a second rule violation, one thing which she has denied.

Halep’s preliminary cost final October noticed the tennis ace testing constructive for Roxadustat – a substance that’s banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency and stimulates the manufacturing of crimson blood cells. The constructive outcome got here following her US Open defeat to Daria Snigur in late August.

Following the outcome, Halep has since been investigated by the ITIA (International Tennis Integrity Agency), which reported irregularities in her organic passport. The passports are used to observe gamers’ blood indicators over time and assist to detect any irregularities.

Halep has taken half in a listening to and was anticipated to listen to the result this week. But the tennis star is but to have any determination introduced regardless of months of ready.

Halep has since slammed the choice through her social media channels. “Today I found out that the decision in my case which was expected this week, will be further delayed,” she mentioned.

“This is terribly disappointing, as I have constantly said that all I ask for is to be judged. It is hard to explain the emotional toll that all of these delays have had and continue to have on me.”

This is not the primary time the tennis star has spoken out in opposition to the ruling. Halep had her listening to delayed a number of instances and launched a scathing assertion on the time.

“Once once more, tonight, I’m devastated,” she wrote again in May. “The ITF (ITIA) has once again, for the third time postponed my hearing one month later! I am waiting to be judged since last October. In December, I have finally been able, thanks to experts, to show that the lot of the supplement I was using had been contaminated, which caused the positive control.

“I have asked, as the rules of the anti-doping state it, for a quick hearing: this is my right, it is written in the rules! Unfortunately, the ITF (ITIA) has postponed my hearing three times; denying me the right to be judged by an Independent Tribunal, [and] not allowing me to participate in any tournament for 8 months.”

Halep stays banned from all tennis tournaments and would often be that includes within the ongoing US Open, the place her finest end got here in 2015 when she was knocked out within the semi-finals to eventual winner Flavia Pennetta. The 31-year-old’s highest achievements got here within the 2018 French Open and Wimbledon in 2019, her solely Grand Slam wins to this point.