Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep has accused the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) of ‘acting in a way contrary to her rights’ after learning that they seek to delay her hearing once again.
The former world No.1 has been suspended from competition since October after failing a drugs test during the US Open. Halep tested positive for the banned substance roxadustat which is an anaemia drug used to help boost the level of red blood cells in the body. She denies any wrongdoing and claims to be a victim of contamination.
However, Halep was issued with a second anti-doping violation last Friday after tests found irregularities in her biological passport following an independent investigation. After learning about her latest charge, she issued a statement in which she accused the ITIA of harassing her. Claiming that officials are trying to find a way to prove her guilty of doping.
“Not only has my name been soiled in the worst possible way, but I am facing a constant determination from the ITIA for a reason that I cannot understand, to prove my guilt while I haven’t ever even thought of taking an illicit substance,” said Halep.
“I tried two times to have the opportunity to be judged by an independent tribunal, and the ITIA has constantly found reasons to postpone.
“Now that we have clearly established that I have been a victim of contamination, they came up with a so-called not normal evolution of my blood. Three world renowned experts that have studied my blood test have been extremely clear that my blood is totally normal.”
During an interview with Tennis Majors earlier this year, the 31-year-old said she sent evidence to the ITIA at the end of last year proving that she didn’t deliberately take a banned substance but they denied ever receiving it. Halep says she enlisted the help of ‘experts’ who concluded that her positive drugs test was a result of supplement contamination. The names of these experts were not disclosed.
Halep had originally hoped that her hearing would take place at the end of this month but it appears that the ITIA has requested a delay to the hearing. Presumably, this is due to the second doping violation she was hit with last week. However, the tennis star has blasted the body over the handling of her case in another statement she issued on Tuesday evening.
“I am once again extremely shocked and disappointed by the ITIA’s attitude. While the ITIA via their representative Nicole Sapstead was publicly stating 3 days ago that the ITIA “has remained committed to engaging Mrs Halep in an empathetic, efficient and timely manner”, they were at the same time officially requesting the Tribunal to delay my hearing… for the third time.” Halep wrote on social media.
“The ITIA publicly states one thing while privately doing another, I have repeatedly asked for my hearing and the ITIA has repeatedly sought to delay it. When is it going to stop? I ask the question once again. I am entitled to a quick hearing. Acting this way is contrary to my rights.”
The ITIA has stated that they are continuing discussions with the independent tribunal team and with Halep’s representatives with the hope of trying to find a resolution to the case as soon as possible. However, they did not indicate how long this may take. It is not uncommon for these investigations to take several months, especially when the player accused of a doping violation denies any wrongdoing.
So far in her career, Halep has won 24 WTA titles and has been runner-up at 18 other tournaments. She has also earned more than $40M in prize money and won over 550 matches.
