CNN
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Simona Halep says she has been underneath enormous stress because the two-time grand slam winner bids to clear her title and return to tennis following a optimistic drug check.
Halep examined optimistic for Roxadustat, a banned substance listed on the 2022 World Anti-Doping Company (WADA) prohibited checklist, finally 12 months’s US Open and has been provisionally suspended since October.
She has denied that she knowingly took a banned substance, as a substitute arguing {that a} complement she took had been contaminated.
In line with 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 groups and increase endurance.
“The state of affairs has been actually exhausting. Emotionally, it’s heavy. The stress is large 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 an enormous supporter of unpolluted sports activities. Firstly, I didn’t know learn how 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 detrimental urine exams since being notified of her optimistic consequence.
In line with 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.”
CNN has contacted the ITIA for remark however didn’t instantly obtain a response. The group advised Tennis Majors that Halep’s case is ongoing and “being run in keeping with the World Anti-Doping Code.”
How Serena Williams’ former coach introduced Simona Halep again from the brink of tennis retirement
“I had an enormous hope that I may go to the tribunal to have a listening to after which I might know if I may 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 extra testing … All the things takes so lengthy. I requested the ITF to raise my sanction to have the ability to play however in addition they refused it.”
Halep, who has not performed since a first-round defeat finally 12 months’s US Open, stated that her tribunal listening to is now scheduled to happen on Could 28, including that it’s “not honest” to have waited nearly eight months between her provisional suspension and the listening to.
“Emotionally, the entire interval has not been simple and I simply felt the necessity to communicate out loud to my followers, to my supporters, and really to the entire public,” she stated.
“I’m positive they actually need to know what’s occurring and why it’s taking so lengthy. I needed to stay silent till the case was solved however it’s too heavy, so I felt that it might be actually good for me to talk about it out loud.”
