“It’s nothing that he did it in purpose, nothing,” Simona Halep declares ex-coach Patrick Mouratoglou innocent

Former World No.1 Simona Halep hasn’t enjoyed the expected comeback after her reduced suspension by the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS). However, she declares her ex-coach Patrick Mouratoglou innocent of the four-year suspension for taking a banned substance.

For context, In October 2022, Halep tested positive for roxadustat, a banned substance, at the US Open that year. She was subsequently slammed with a nine-month suspension and a further four-year ban from the sport.

That led her ex-coach Mouratoglou to take the blame, stating that by providing the banned substance, he triggered the positive result.

However, after an appeal to CAS, her suspension was reduced from four years to nine months. A week later, she was given a wildcard to participate at the Miami Open after being away from the sport for over a year and a half. Despite going on to lose to Paula Badosa in the first round in Miami, the two-time Grand Slam champion was happy to be back on the court.

Meanwhile, since Halep’s comeback, she has refused to blame anybody, not even Mouratoglou, for getting banned in the first place. In a recent interview, she admitted that taking the substance was not intentional and had nothing to do with her ex-coach.

Definitely was not an intentional mistake or how should I say? That he wanted to make something wrong to me. No. And I heard many voices [say] that I was manipulated by him. That’s not true. He was my coach and I always trusted the people I work with . . .So I really believe that if you don't trust in your team, you cannot perform at your maximum level. 

Simona Halep said via TENNIS

Halep has yet to win a match but added that she has been on a strict schedule since her comeback, taking care of her mental health. She believes her first victory on Tour is very much closer now than ever.

So it was nothing that he offered me to take something or to give me something. No, everything was clear about doping, so it's nothing that he did it in purpose, nothing. 

Simona further added

Simona Halep returned to action at the WTA 125K tournament but retired in the second set

Simona Halep returned to action at the Trophée Clarins WTA 125k tournament in Paris. It was her first tournament after participating at the Miami Open in March. She received a wildcard into the main draw to face American McCartney Kessler in the first round.

However, she retired in the second set against Kessler due to injury, despite leading 7-5, 2-3. This is a big blow to Romanian, as she was hoping for good preparation ahead of the French Open qualifier round after not being awarded a wildcard for the Grand Slam event.

The WTA star has yet to win a match since her comeback in March after being denied a wildcard for several events.

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