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Halep hammered with doping ban as long-running case decided
Simona Halep was slammed on Tuesday with a four-year doping ban as the long-running case of the former world No. 1 finally ended at the hands of an independent tribunal,
Tennis anti-doping bosses charged that a positive September, 2022, test for the Romanian who won Roland Garros in 2018 and Wimbledon a year later was enough to effectively end the career of the 31-year-old who has long protested her innocence.
Halep tested positive for the anemia treatment roxadustat at the US Open last year.
The legit medication is on the WADA Prohibited Substance list, identified in tennis as a blood doping agent, which increases haemoglobin and the production of red blood cells.
Halep, 31, was also found in breach of details on her Athlete Biological Passport..
The player was suspended for four years, ending in October, 2026.
The popular competitor has been defended from the start by colleagues and others in the sport.
She recently called for a decision to allow her to get on with her life and also testified last June in London hearings on the case.
But the secret tribunal found her guilty on the doping charges on Monday, citing two violations: the roxadustat in a urine sample and the player passport violation, which comprises 51 blood samples taken over a period of months or years to establish a profile
Halep said her sample had been tainted but the panel ruled otherwise.
“We do understand the significant public interest in these cases and remain committed to being as transparent as possible and the full decision will be published in due course,”anti-doping supremo Karen Moorhouse said.
“After a complex and rigorous hearing process, we welcome the independent tribunal’s decision.
“The volume of evidence for the tribunal to consider in both the roxadustat and ABP proceedings was substantial.
“The ITIA (anti-doping body) has followed the proper processes as we would with any other individual – in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code – fulfilling our purpose and responsibility to uphold the principle of fair competition, on behalf of the sport.”
Main photo:- Simona Halep lifts the Venus Rosewater Dish on the Members’ Balcony after winning the Ladies’ Singles final. The Championships 2019. Credit: AELTC/Thomas Lovelock.
Tennis matches usually happen on a court.
Grass, terre battue, or asphalt.
Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios today announced they are planning to move the action into the courts of law, starting in the USA.
The PTPA player organisation set up by Serb Djokovic and Canada’s Vasek Pospisil and supported by Kyrgios, has launched legal action against tennis’ ruling bodies.
Founded in 2021, the Professional Tennis Players Association cites it’s mission as “supporting and safeguarding professional tennis players”
In a statement PTPA has accused the governing bodies of “ disregarding player welfare by forcing athletes to compete late at night and in extreme heat, and branded anti-doping practices an invasion of privacy”
Their statement further added “The lawsuits expose systemic abuse, anti-competitive practices, and a blatant disregard for player welfare that have persisted for decades.”
Pospisil, a former Wimbledon doubles champion and singles quarter-finalist in, said: “This is not just about money, it’s about fairness, safety, and basic human dignity.
“I’m one of the more fortunate players and I’ve still had to sleep in my car when travelling to matches early on in my career.
Imagine an NFL player being told that he had to sleep in his car at an away game? It’s absurd and would never happen, obviously. No other major sport treats its athletes this way”
A statement read: “Following years of good-faith efforts to reform professional tennis, the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) has taken decisive legal action supported by more than a dozen professional tennis players and on behalf of the entire player population,
“The renowned international law firm and historical player advocates Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, have initiated a series of legal actions in the US, UK and EU against the sport’s governing bodies”
Main photo:- Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic are moving to the Courts of Law.
Rafael Nadal suffered a devastating diagnosis as his injury purgatory continues, with the Spaniard forced on Sunday to withdraw from the Australian Open.
The 37-year-old’s camp made the painful call after medical consultations following Nadal’s three-match run at this week’s Brisbane International.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion got as far as the quarter-finals losing to Australian Jordan Thompson and picking up what he hoped would be a mere niggle in his hip.
But the micro-tear in the trouble spot which forced him to miss a year of play from last January proved to be more serious than thought, with the Grand Slam withdrawal inevitable.
“Hi all, during my last match in Brisbane I had a small problem on a muscle that as you know made me worried,” the Spaniard posted on social media.
“Once I got to Melbourne I have had the chance to make an MRI and I have micro tear on a muscle, not in the same part where I had the injury and that’s good news.
“Right now I am not ready to compete at the maximum level …in five-set matches.
“I’m flying back to Spain to see my doctor, get some treatment and rest.”
The situation brings up fears that the icon may have played his last Grand Slam, though Nadal insists he’s still focusing on Roland Garros in May, which he has won 14 times.
“I have worked very hard during the year for this comeback and as I always mentioned my goal is to be at my best level in three months..
“Within the sad news for me for not being able to play in front of the amazing Melbourne crowds, this is not very bad news and we all remain positive with the evolution for the season.
“I really wanted to play here in Australia and I have had the chance to play a few matches that made me very happy and positive. Thanks all for the support and see you soon.”
Main photo:- Australian Open 2023 injured Rafa Nadal loses second round match by Mr. Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd
Last year’s Wimbledon runner-up Nick Kyrgios and this year’s No. 30 seed became a late absentee withdrawing on Sunday evening due to a torn wrist ligament which he picked up in the Mallorca Championship last month.
Kyrgios was due to play David Goffin on Court One on Monday
He confirmed his withdrawal in a statement on Sunday ‘I’m really sad to say that I have to withdraw from Wimbledon this year,’
‘During my comeback I experienced some pain in my wrist during Mallorca. As a precaution I had it scanned and it came back showing a torn ligament in my wrist. I tried everything to be able to play and I am disappointed to say that I just didn’t have enough time to manage it before Wimbledon”
“I’ll be back and as always I appreciate the support from all my fans.’
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