Novak Djokovic led PTPA releases statement over Simona Halep’s doping controversy as the Romanian gets suspended
Follow Us
Novak Djokovic and Simona Halep
Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil‘s co-founded Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) has also issued the statement over Simona Halep‘s doping controversy. With players going in for doping tests, Halep’s test at the 2022 US Open returned the anti-anaemia drug Roxadustat.
With the drug listed as illegal in the 2022 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list, Halep was found guilty by the the International Tennis Integrity Agency. Halep was immediately suspended from all tennis activities and the PTPA has now issued a statement of their own over the incident.
“The PTPA is committed to ensure that Simona Halep, like all other tennis players, has a fair trial during the entire process. We will fight for her rights and try to insist on transparency for all other tennis players,” read the PTPA’s statement.
Novak Djokovic has not issued a personal statement over Simona Halep’s suspension
Halep was suspended on Friday, 21st October and the Romanian had issued a statement of her own as well. Pleading innocence in the whole incident, Halep agreed to cooperate completely with the officials to clear the allegation from her name.
While Nick Kyrgios and Serena Williams‘ husband Alexis Ohanian have fired shots, Sorana Cirstea has come out in support of Halep. While the PTPA has released a statement of their own, Pospisil or Djokovic are yet to comment on the entire thing from a personal point of view.
Following her first round exit from the 2022 US Open, Halep had ended her season. She later revealed of undergoing a nose surgery as well to improve her breathing. While she is now out for the season, she can focus fully on getting the allegations dropped before the start of next season.
With a suspected four-year suspension over the doping allegation, Halep has a long battle in the coming months to prove her innocence. The Romanian’s public statement does however show that it might have been an accidental case where the 2-time Grand Slam champion consumed the drug.
The WTA is yet to comment on the situation and it could be a while before they issue one. While the Tour will do all in its position to protect the player, if indeed Halep had knowingly taken the drug, the 31-year old could be spending a long time away from the court.
Stay Updated!
Sarthak Shitole
(3462 Articles Published)