Tennis scandal! Simona Halep’s doping revealed by test. What is her punishment?

Simona Halep is undoubtedly one of the biggest stars on the WTA circuit. However, the former world number one is now facing doping allegations, which were revealed at this year’s US Open. What punishment could the Romanian tennis player receive?

Simona Halep tested positive for the drug Roxadustat, which is used to treat anaemia, during this year’s US Open, which took place in late August and early September. However, it is also on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of banned substances.

The last Grand Slam tournament did not go well at all for the Romanian player. The former world number one dropped out in the first round when she surprisingly lost to Daria Snigurova from Ukraine after 2::6, 6::0 and 4::6 sets.

This was the last match of the current tenth player in the WTA rankings so far. The two-time Grand Slam champion has not been on the courts since then, which was caused by a nose surgery. But now a much longer break is imminent.

Under WADA rules, the thirty-one-year-old Romanian faces up to a four-year sentence. However, if she pleads guilty, it would be a mitigating circumstance. Given her advanced age, however, such a break could have huge consequences.

And how does the player herself feel about the situation? “In my entire career, I have never even thought about cheating. I feel completely confused and cheated now,” she said in a statement on Twitter.

“I will fight until the end to prove that I never knowingly took any banned substance. I believe the truth will come out,” added the previous year’s clay court champion in Prague.

Source:: WTA, Twitter, Tennis Portal