Former world number one Simona Halep, who is currently banned for doping, has indicated for the first time that she wants to end her tennis career soon. The decision will be made by the CAS, which will evaluate the case for the last time at the beginning of February.
What may be the last chapter in Simona Halep’s tennis career begins on February 7, 2024. On that Wednesday, the International Court of Arbitration for Sports will decide whether the Romanian’s doping ban, which was originally intended to last four years, will be shortened. If the ban remains in place, Halep could not return to the tour until 2026 at the earliest. But the 32-year-old probably wouldn’t do that.
“If it stays at four years, I don’t know how I will deal with it. It will probably be the end of my career,” said Halep in the “euronews” interview. Having to end her career for something she didn’t do makes the situation overall “even more catastrophic,” the Romanian once again emphasized her innocence.
Halep’s ex-coach takes responsibility
The banned substance roxadustat was found in a doping sample from Halep at the 2022 US Open. Halep most likely took the substance through a nutritional supplement that her then trainer Patrick Mouratoglou got for her. Last month, Mouratoglou publicly took responsibility and confirmed that he and his team bought the drug and gave it to Halep.
“I wish this had come out a little earlier,” said the former world number one. For her, Mouratoglou’s words were “hard”: “Because I always trusted my teams and everyone I worked with.”
Halep explained that every day was painful for her after the positive sample became known. “It was a shock for me when I received the letter saying that my urine test was positive. I know that I have done nothing wrong and that I am clean. I have always been against doping,” said the 32-year-old .
2023-12-15 11:37:00
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