Simona Halep expressed that her suspension period felt like being confined in a prison, as she was unable to even attend a match outside.
Romanian tennis star Simona Halep made her return to the tennis court after her four-year ban for doping was reduced to nine months by the Court of Arbitration for Sports. The 32-year-old participated in the Miami Open upon her comeback. Despite losing in the first round to Paula Badosa at the WTA 1000 tournament, the two-time Grand Slam champion was thrilled to be back.
Halep was immensely pleased to once again compete at the highest level, stating that the reduction of her doping ban felt more significant than winning a Grand Slam title or being ranked number one in the world. She believed that having her ban shortened was a testament to her integrity.
The Romanian player reaffirmed that she has never engaged in cheating throughout her life, even during her early days in the sport. Halep emphasized her strong stance against cheating and has maintained this principle throughout her career.
It is worth noting that Halep received a four-year suspension from the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) due to the presence of the prohibited substance roxadustat in her blood sample. However, she appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) and successfully had her ban reduced to nine months, as it was unintentional.
Simona Halep regarded the reduction of her ban as her greatest victory, primarily due to the emotional toll she experienced during her suspension. She likened her time away from the sport to being imprisoned, where she was not even allowed to attend matches.
Halep shared an anecdote about being informed that she could not watch Jannik Sinner in action while serving her ban. However, after the ban was shortened and ultimately ended, she felt a sense of liberation and saw a brighter future ahead.
Now that she has returned, Halep aims to regain her top form and secure a spot in the WTA top 10 rankings. However, she acknowledges the challenges and remains cautious due to persistent injuries. Despite this, Halep continues to dream of being one of the world’s best tennis players.
Photo from Simona Halep Instagram