Tennis icon Serena Williams appeared to answer Simona Halep's four-year ban by the ITIA (International Tennis Integrity Agency) in a pointed message on social media. The Romanian tennis participant has been punished for anti-doping violations. 

Although the message was oblique, Williams took to X, previously referred to as Twitter, to publish, "8 is a better number." The connection refers to Serena's journey on the 2019 Wimbledon last, the place she confronted off towards Halep however was denied an eighth single's title on the match. 

Halep received the match with simply three unforced errors, marking a stunning victory. Before that match, Williams had misplaced solely as soon as in 9 earlier conferences with Halep and had by no means been crushed by her at a serious match.

It seems that Williams just isn't impressed along with her former rival being discovered responsible of doping offenses and receiving a ban. 

The ITIA has said that 31-year-old Romanian tennis participant Halep "committed intentional anti-doping rule violations" on account of a failed drug take a look at in the course of the 2022 U.S. Open and irregularities in her Athlete Biological Passport. Halep, who intends to contest the choice, has been underneath provisional suspension since October 2022. 

Her four-year ban can be efficient till October 6, 2026. The former world No. 1 within the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) rankings 2017 has a notable profession, alongside her 2019 Wimbledon victory. One 12 months prior, she received the French Open. 

"I am continuing to train and do everything in my power to clear my name of these false allegations and return to the court," Halep stated in a statement. "I intend to appeal this decision to The Court of Arbitration for Sport and pursue all legal remedies against the supplement company in question."

Alongside her publish, Williams continued her silent endorsement on social media by liking a former American tennis participant, Nicole Gibbs publish. The publish detailed the frustration to find out that your tennis heroes have examined constructive for banned substances. 

"Such a disappointment when you discover like half of your heroes from your sports days were cheating," wrote Gibbs on X. "Just so so frustrating and makes sports so dumb—not a fair fight and makes you wonder how many are skating by unnoticed (I think probably a lot)."

Williams continued by liking one other publish on that platform from her husband, Alexis Ohanian, who mockingly was carrying a D.A.R.E) shirt within the stands whereas she performed Maria Sharapova, who was additionally as soon as suspended for utilizing a banned substance. D.A.R.E., brief for Drug Abuse Resistance Education, is in Los Angeles. 

The program conducts classroom classes led by law enforcement officials in faculties to foster a drug-free way of life. Ohanian's publish learn, "Some fashion is timeless," hinting on the juxtaposition of the message on the shirt and the precise scenario on the court docket. 

Halep has received 24 singles titles in her profession, with £32,176,909 in prize cash collected. The Romanian has been taken out of the WTA Tour rankings after her suspension.