Former world number one Simona Halep says she will “fight to the end” to prove she did not knowingly take a banned substance after being provisionally suspended for doping.
A sample Halep provided during the US Open in August tested positive for Roxadustat, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said.
Roxadustat stimulates the production of red blood cells and is used to treat anemia and kidney problems.
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Halep, the current world number nine, said the drug test result was “the biggest shock of my life”.
“Today begins the hardest match of my life: a fight for the truth,” the 31-year-old Romanian wrote on Twitter.
“Throughout my career, the idea of cheating never once crossed my mind, as it goes completely against all the values I was brought up with.
“Faced with such an unfair situation, I feel completely confused and betrayed.”
He said an “extremely low amount” of the substance had been found in his body.
“I will fight to the end to prove that I never knowingly took any banned substance and I have faith that sooner or later, the truth will come out,” he added.
“It’s not about titles or money. It’s about honor and the love affair I’ve developed with tennis over the past 25 years.”
The 2018 French Open and 2019 Wimbledon champion is the most high-profile player to fail a drug test since Maria Sharapova in 2016.
Halep had ended her season in mid-September after having surgery on her nose. Speaking in September, she said she had suffered mental problems earlier this year and had considered ending her career, but she began working with former Serena Williams coach Patrick Mouratoglou and her form improved. he recovered briefly.
Simona Halep missed the first day of the 2022 US Open. Image: Julian FinneySource: Getty Images
She reached the semifinals at Wimbledon this year and won in Toronto to reach No.6 in the rankings in August before falling back to ninth.
The ITIA, which oversees tennis’ anti-doping program, said it had been informed on October 7 that she was being provisionally suspended.
He said Halep had exercised her right to have her “B” sample analyzed, which confirmed the presence of Roxadustat.
In a statement, it said: “Although provisionally suspended, the player is ineligible to compete in or attend any sanctioned tennis event organized by the sport’s governing bodies.”
—AFP