In any sport, it takes years of practice and dedication to gain physical and mental strength to achieve the ‘champion’ tag. However, some athletes resort to shortcuts and quick solutions, like prohibited substances. Tennis is not an exception to this, with even legends like Maria Sharapova facing the consequences of such actions. Whatever the reason, if tested positive for doping, The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) takes action. But what if a champion is delayed justice repeatedly by the authorities? This is what is happening to the Romanian tennis star, Simona Halep.

The situation becomes even worse when a two-time US Open semi-finalist did not have any backing from elite tennis stars. But now, the WTA former No.1 receives much-needed support from her Australian colleague.

The US Open quarter-finalist slammed the tennis community for inaction

Former World No.1 Simona Halep tested positive for a banned red blood cell stimulator, Roxadustat, last year. The substance has a short half-life, ranging between 10-16 hours, which made it difficult to detect in the doping test. After testing positive for the banned drug, Halep requested another sample be taken, and the 2nd one, too, reflected the same result. She has been on a provisional ban ever since.

But her doping case is laced with the postponement of hearing and an eerie silence. Recently, Australian John Millman spoke against the injustice by taking to Twitter. He wrote, “Simona is in tennis purgatory due to constant delays in proceedings from the ITIA. Her colleagues should have her back and broadcast it in the public forum. Allowing her a proper and fair hearing.”

The former World No. 33 also confronted people by saying, “If you walked in her shoes you’d at least want that. Regardless of the findings.”

Since October, Halep has requested ITIA multiple times to move her case forward. Halep’s coach, who was also Serena Williams‘ former coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, echoed the same as his student, who accused the committee of harassing her.

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Simona Halep claims that her blood sample was contaminated

In May, when the Romanian was delayed hearing for the second time, she poured her heart out on social media. The 31-year-old alleged that 3 world-renowned experts have declared her blood sample as normal. She has been pressurizing for another hearing, but the Romanian was slapped with another blow.

The ‘Tennis Anti-Doping Programme’ (TADP) has charged Halep with a separate additional charge on the grounds of irregularities in the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP). The examination of ABP is crucial as it tracks the record of certain biological variables that hint at the presence of an external source in the body.

On July 1st, Halep was heard in the court for the first time, and a verdict was promised in two weeks. The ITIA delayed the process again, and fans are slamming WTA for not taking a stand for their athlete. If found guilty, a two-year suspension awaits the former World No.1 with effect from the date of suspension. However, Halep has the right to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.

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The independent sports organization aims to settle any sports dispute outside the national court through mediation. No rule violation will be made while making the settlement, as the CAS adheres to the rules adapted by the sport in question. In Halep’s case, if the CAS can succeed at making a fair deal, ITIA’s verdict does not hold value.