Simona Halep’s doping ban has literally shocked the sports world, for the news of the positivism to an anti-doping control of the Slam champion and one of the greatest tennis players of recent years. This was announced by the tennis player herself, who before her accusations made the following statements: “Today begins the most difficult game of my life: the battle for the truth.
I have been informed that I have tested positive for taking a substance called Roxadustat in an extremely low amount. It is the biggest shock of my life. Throughout my career, the idea of cheating has never once crossed my mind, because it totally goes against all the values I was raised on.
Faced with such an unfair situation, I feel completely confused and betrayed. I will fight to the end to prove that I have never knowingly taken any banned substance and I am hopeful that sooner or later the truth will come out.
It’s not about stocks or money. It is about the story of honor and love that I have built with tennis for the last 25 years.»
Simona Halep, sensational hypotheses arise on the matter
The Romanian tennis player received a temporary suspension but in general not everyone believes in her guilt.
Simona Halep’s former medical adviser, Dr. Dana Safta, defended the former world number one and explained her point of view. Safta noted that Simona tested negative for doping on Aug. 26 in Toronto and Aug. 3 in Toronto, while she tested positive on Aug. 29, albeit with slight traces, for the banned substance Roxadustat.
Dr. Safta said Simona’s positive sample was contaminated in the lab, her supplements were tampered with, or worse, banned substances were smuggled into her food. It must be said that all these hypotheses remain to be proven.
Journalist Kenny Ducey recently spoke on the Inside podcast commenting on what happened with Halep’s story: «We are all in shock. I think it would have been even worse if Halep had won some Grand Slams this season, let’s talk about a tennis player who won Wimbledon three years ago In any case, I think it’s his fault and this whole thing really sucks.»
