Halep Handed Four-Year Ban For Doping

Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep has been suspended for four years following breaches of tennis’ anti-doping programme.

The 31 year old has been banned for two separate anti-doping rule violations, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed on Tuesday.

An independent tribunal determined the Romanian had committed “intentional” anti-doping violations.

Halep tested positive for the use of roxadustat at last year’s US Open.

Roxadustat is an anti-anaemia drug that stimulates the production of red blood cells in the body.

She was also found guilty of using an unspecified prohibited substance or method in 2022 after irregularities were found in her biological passport.

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The tribunal accepted Halep’s argument she had taken a contaminated supplement, but decided that would not have resulted in the concentration of roxadustat found in her urine sample.

The ABP charge was also upheld as three independent experts were unanimous that “likely doping” was the explanation for the irregularities in Halep’s profile. The case remains subject to appeal.

Halep has been provisionally suspended since October 2022, which means she will be able to play again on 7 October 2026 when she will be 35 years old.

The 2018 French Open and 2019 Wimbledon champion has strongly denied knowingly taking the banned substance and said she has   evidence to show that small amounts of the anaemia drug entered her system from a licensed supplement that was contaminated.

BBC Sports