Simona Halep has been applauded by her Ex Coach, Darren Cahill leading to her comeback at the Miami Open.
Halep tested positive for the prohibited drug “roxadustat,” at the 2022 US Open. Her biological passport also indicated ‘anomalies,’ according to.
At the 2022 US Open, Halep tested positive for the prohibited drug “roxadustat.” Her biological passport also included ‘anomalies’ according to.
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Later the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) banned her in September 2023. She was banned for four years on both offences.
Halep insisted on her innocence throughout the entire situation. She decided to take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland, to contest it. Last month, in February, the 32-year-old received a favorable decision from CAS.
The CAS ordered the ITIA to compensate Halep, shortening her four-year term to nine months.
Halep’s coach from 2015–18 and 2020–21, Darren Cahill stated that he never questioned her. He never doubted the Romanian’s innocence throughout the entire 18-month ordeal.
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Darrren Cahill and Evert Laud Simona Halep’s Resilience as Doping Ban Overturned
“For me, it was the highlight of the year [Simona Halep’s doping ban being overturned], and I’ve had a really good year so far this year with everything Jannik [Sinner] has done. But it’s been 18 months of torture for her”, Cahill said on Sky Sports.
“I’ve always believed in her, always known that she would never deliberately or knowingly take anything that was wrong or banned, and that came true, when they went to CAS in Lausanne, and the truth came out”, he added.
“So, I know she’s been through a tough moment, a tough period of 18 months and I’m super proud of the way she has handled herself and the way she has carried herself throughout this entire and I could not be happier to see her playing in Miami. I can’t wait to see her this week.”
The Romanian has been handed a wildcard entry into the Miami Open. As her ranking dropped while she was not competing.
She has received support from several prominent figures in the sport, including former world No. 1 Chris Evert. “I know her and I think I’m good with people. I’m very happy for her,” Chris Evert said.
“Simona is a person with a work ethic, extremely disciplined and principled when it comes to training and tennis. I never doubted her innocence for a second.”
Evert believes Halep has a strong chance of returning to the top ten and competing for major titles. “Simona can certainly return to the top of the world women’s tennis,” Evert said. “The break period was long, it’s true, but she has an extremely strong character. And let’s not forget the desire for a rematch she has now. That could make the difference,” she added.
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