CNN
—
Simona Halep says she has been below big stress because the two-time grand slam winner bids to clear her identify and return to tennis following a optimistic drug take a look at.
Halep examined optimistic for Roxadustat, a banned substance listed on the 2022 World Anti-Doping Company (WADA) prohibited listing, ultimately 12 months’s US Open and has been provisionally suspended since October.
She has denied that she knowingly took a banned substance, as an alternative arguing that one among her dietary supplements had been contaminated.
In response to america Anti-Doping Company (USADA), Roxadustat is a category of drug referred to as HIF-stabilizing brokers, which may improve the supply of oxygen to muscle mass and increase endurance.
“The state of affairs has been actually exhausting. Emotionally, it’s heavy. The stress is big as a result of I by no means thought I might face one thing like this,” Halep stated in an interview with Tennis Majors launched on Thursday.
“I’ve at all times been towards doping as I’m a giant supporter of fresh sports activities. Originally, I didn’t know the right way to deal with it. Over time, I simply tried to remain calm and really, I really feel assured as a result of I do know I’m clear and I didn’t take something knowingly that’s banned.”
Halep’s coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, is without doubt one of the co-founders and shareholders of Tennis Majors.
The 31-year-old added that she has despatched proof of taking what she believes to be a contaminated complement to the Worldwide Tennis Federation (ITF) and has requested a listening to about her case, however stated the ITF rejected her proof.
She additionally stated she has taken 10 unfavorable urine assessments since being notified of her optimistic end result.
In response to the Worldwide Tennis Integrity Company (ITIA), a participant disputing a doping cost can request a listening to earlier than a three-person impartial tribunal.
In a assertion on Twitter on Friday, the ITF stated it “has had no involvement within the administration of this case, because the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme is managed and enforced by the Worldwide Tennis Integrity Company (ITIA) on behalf of the ATP, WTA, ITF and Grand Slams.”
An ITIA spokesperson instructed CNN that the method “is ongoing and is being run consistent with the World Anti-Doping Code.”
How Serena Williams’ former coach introduced Simona Halep again from the brink of tennis retirement
“I had a giant hope that I might go to the tribunal to have a listening to after which I might know if I might play Indian Wells [in March] or not,” stated Halep.
“(A) listening to on February 28 didn’t occur as a result of the ITF requested extra time to do further testing … Every little thing takes so lengthy. I requested the ITF to raise my sanction to have the ability to play however additionally they refused it.”
Halep, who has not performed since a first-round defeat ultimately 12 months’s US Open, stated that her tribunal listening to is now scheduled to happen on Might 28, including that it’s “not honest” to have waited virtually eight months between her provisional suspension and the listening to.
“Emotionally, the entire interval has not been straightforward and I simply felt the necessity to converse out loud to my followers, to my supporters, and really to the entire public,” she stated.
“I’m certain they actually wish to know what’s happening and why it’s taking so lengthy. I needed to stay silent till the case was solved but it surely’s too heavy, so I felt that it might be actually good for me to discuss it out loud.”