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Nothing gets better for the two-time Grand Slam winner… Since October 2022, Simona Halep has been suspended from all competitions after testing positive for Roxadustat, a synthetic molecule that stimulates the production of erythropoietin (EPO) and is generally indicated in the treatment of anemia, in an anti-doping test at the last US Open. The hearing at the ITIA, the international tennis integrity agency, kept being postponed but a statement was issued on Friday. The ITIA confirms that the player has been charged with a new violation of the tennis anti-doping program regarding irregularities in her biological passport. This charge is separate and in addition to the existing Roxadustat charge from August 2022…
“Since October 7, when I was charged by the ITIA for suspected doping, I have been living the worst nightmare of my life. Not only has my name been smeared in the worst possible way, but I am faced with a constant determination by the ITIA, for some reason I cannot understand, to prove my guilt when I have NEVER considered taking any illegal substance. I have tried twice to have the opportunity to be tried by an Independent Tribunal and the ITIA has constantly found reasons to postpone. Now that we have clearly established that I was a victim of contamination, they have proposed a so-called abnormal evolution of my blood. Three world-renowned experts who have studied my blood tests have been extremely clear that my blood is completely normal.
I feel helpless in the face of such harassment and motivation on their part to prove me guilty of something I never did. Again, all my life I have been totally opposed to any form of cheating. It doesn’t fit with my values. The only thing I hope for at this point is to finally have the opportunity to have independent and impartial judges in a court of law who will give me the chance to prove my innocence. I have full confidence in the justice system and I am looking forward to finally being able to present my case at the hearing scheduled for the end of May, after several delays on the part of the ITIA. The support of my loved ones, the tennis world and my fans has given me the courage to continue to train every day and fight for the truth.I can only thank you.”
Silent since the beginning of the Simona Halep case, Patrick Mouratoglou chose to speak out after a second accusation against the player he coaches.
He recalls in particular that he has blind confidence in his player and that he is persuaded that she did not try to cheat. He regrets that the ITIA absolutely wants to declare her guilty when evidence to the contrary has been brought. “I ask the ITIA to stop this inconceivable harassment and to stop postponing the hearing that would have already been held in February and that is now scheduled for the end of May,”.
