Simona Halep Receives Second Doping Charge.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirms that Former WTA Number 1 player Simona Halep has been charged with a further and separate breach of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP), relating to irregularities in her Athlete Biological Passport (ABP).

The 31-year-old, Romanian and Ex Roland Garros champion, has already been provisionally suspended since October 2022 after testing positive for banned blood-booster roxadustat at the U.S. Open last year.

Simona, who previously denied knowingly using the banned substance, said she has evidence that proves low quantities of the anti-anaemia drug entered her body because of an authorized supplement that was contaminated.

“We understand that today’s announcement adds complexity to an already high-profile situation… We have remained committed to engaging with Ms. Halep in an empathetic, efficient, and timely manner,”. – Senior Director for Anti-Doping at the ITIA, Nicole Sapstead.

She also admitted to being frustrated at the length of time it was taking for her case to be resolved. Telling http://tennismajors.com: “Emotionally, the whole period has not been easy. “I’m not asking for special treatment. I just ask to be judged. How much longer is this going to take?”