The recent doping allegations against Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek have cast a shadow over the tennis world. On Thursday, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) revealed that Swiatek was handed one month ban after testing positive for banned substance, trimetazdine (tmz). As questions arise about the consistency of the ITIA’s investigations, players like Simona Halep have voiced their concerns. However, some fans have criticized Halep for her comments, highlighting the sensitivity of the issue.

José Morgado, journalist and tennis commentator, shared Simona Halep’s frustration on X with the following caption, “Simona Halep with some STRONG words on Instagram. “I stand and ask myself, why is there such a big difference in treatment and judgment?” Halep posted on Instagram on Friday. “I can’t find and I don’t think there can be a logical answer. It can only be bad will from ITIA, the organization that has done absolutely everything to destroy me despite the evidence.”

Halep was provisionally suspended in 2022 for testing positive for a banned substance, Roxadustat. Her four-year ban was later reduced to nine months following an appeal. She consistently maintained her innocence, claiming accidental ingestion of a contaminated supplement.

“I lost two years of my career, I lost many nights when I couldn’t sleep, thoughts, anxiety, questions without answers,” the former world number one said. “How is it possible that in identical cases happening around the same time, ITIA to have completely different approaches to my detriment?”

However, fans think that Halep’s comparison is unnecessary. And both the players were treated fairly.

Tennis fan up in arms against Simona Halep’s discontent with Iga Swiatek’s doping treatment and judgement

Fans think that Halep knows the difference between the two cases. And said, “Really tired of her dishonesty. She knows exactly why they are different.” In a statement, the ITIA told CNN: “We deal with each case based on the facts and evidence, not a player’s name, ranking or nationality. When a prohibited substance is found in a player’s system, we investigate it thoroughly. No two cases are the same, they often involve different circumstances, and direct comparisons are not always helpful.”

Hence, another user was unable to grasp the situation, as they felt that Halep had failed to take her circumstances into account. They shared their disbelief as they said, “I’m sorry, but this woman can’t be serious. How careless and sloppy can someone be when it comes to doping? Halep’s biological passport was a mess—completely all over the place. The level of Roxadustat in her system was exactly what you’d expect from others who’ve doped with it. Let’s not kid ourselves—this is a clear case of intentional doping. And then she has the audacity to call out other players? Completely ridiculous. Get back in the gym and work on your game.”

Alongside the doping charge, Halep was also accused of irregularities in her Athlete Biological Passport. However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport dismissed this charge. Another user also called out Halep: “This lady has also tampered with the biological passport. That’s enough.”

Halep tested positive for a banned substance during the 2022 US Open, where she lost in the first round to Daria Snigur of Ukraine 6-2, 0-6, 6-4. Another fan recalled, “Halep couldn’t prove the amount of Rox in her blood was due to her contaminated supplement. Very different. Plus, an additional charge for blood passport irregularities.”

ITIA further told CNN, “There are some very important differences in these two(Swiatek and Halep’s) cases. The product contaminated in Ms Swiatek’s case was a regulated medication, not a supplement. There was agreement among independent scientific experts surrounding the facts and the player admitted the Anti-Doping Rule Violation.”

Not to forget, the ITIA has faced criticism for its handling of Jannik Sinner’s doping case, where the world No. 1 avoided suspension despite multiple positive tests. “I really don’t get this. She should be happy that others are treated fairly!! Or is she vindictive?”-another fan remarked about Halep’s response to Swiatek’s doping case.

Though it’s on the authorities to decide what’s best for the players, for now, it’s a tough time for tennis, as both the top players in ATP and WTA reel under doping violation pressure.