VIDEO, Halep: “I just ask to be judged”

The two-time Slam champion gives an exclusive to Tennis Majors and claims her innocence. In this video, Halep opens up about the details of her provisional suspension by the ITF.

April 27, 2023

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In a Tennis Majors exclusive former world No 1 and two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep tells her side of the story regarding her provisional suspension from the ITF for a positive doping test.

Halep: the situation is tough

“The situation has been really hard,” Halep says. “Emotionally, it’s heavy. The stress is huge because I never thought I would face something like this. I have always been against doping, as I am a big supporter of clean sports. So at the beginning, I didn’t know how to handle it.”

Halep chose to speak to inform the public of her side

“I feel the need to speak out loud to my supporters, my fans, and to the public because I am sure they really want to know why it’s taking so long and I really felt the need to do that. That’s why I am here today.”

Halep maintains her innocence:

“I have not taken any banned substance. I am a big supporter of clean sports and have always been against doping.”

Halep hopes to have a hearing on May 28

“The next step is a hearing at the end of May, the 28th, but it is very fragile because the ITF said that they might cancel it as well. If they do that, it will be almost eight months since I’ve been provisionally suspended for the first time and I believe that it’s not fair to spend eight months without even being judged by the Tribunal.

“Emotionally, the whole period has not been easy and I just felt the need to speak out loud to my fans, to my supporters, and actually to the whole public. I’m sure they really want to know what’s going on and why it’s taking so long. I wanted to remain silent until the case was solved but it’s too heavy, so I felt that it would be really good for me to speak about it out loud.”