Simona Halep, the No. 9 participant within the WTA rankings, has been provisionally suspended by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) after she examined optimistic for Roxadustat on the 2022 US Open. In their announcement of Halep’s suspension, the ITIA mentioned it took two samples from the tennis star on the US Open. The first one got here again optimistic for Roxadustat, which the World Anti-Doping company lists as a prohibited substance.
Halep then requested that the second pattern even be examined, and ITIA mentioned that it additionally produced a optimistic end result for Roxadustat which is used therapeutically in anemia sufferers to spice up purple blood cell counts. The optimistic take a look at required a compulsory provisional suspension for Halep, and he or she can not take part or attend sanctioned tennis occasions till it ends.
Halep launched a press release on her suspension, and he or she staunchly denies knowingly ingesting a prohibited substance. Halep mentioned she’s going to “combat” to show that she did not do something improper.
“Today begins the toughest match of my life: a combat for the reality,” Halep mentioned in her assertion. “I’ve been notified that I’ve examined optimistic for a substance referred to as Roxadustat in a particularly low amount, which got here as the largest shock of my life.
“Throughout my complete profession, the thought of dishonest by no means even crossed my thoughts as soon as, as it’s completely in opposition to the values I’ve been educated with. Facing such an unfair state of affairs, I really feel utterly confused and betrayed.
“I’ll combat till the top to show that I by no means knowingly took any prohibited substance, and I’ve religion that ultimately, the reality will come out.
“It’s not concerning the titles or the cash. It’s about honor, and the love story I’ve developed with the sport of tennis during the last 25 years.”
Halep, 31, is a former No. 1 ranked participant who has gained the French Open and Wimbledon in her spectacular profession. In 2022, Halep has gained two singles titles, together with the National Bank Open in Canada in August.
At the US Open, the place the samples had been taken, Halep was the No. 7 seed however misplaced to Daria Snigur within the Round of 128.
