Simona Halep’s ban reduced from four years to nine months, can return to Tour immediately

The Court of Arbitration for Sport accepted that the former world No 1 not taken the drug intentionally

Simona Halep (Zuma/Panoramic)

March 5, 2024

Former world No 1 Simona Halep is free to rejoin the WTA Tour with immediate effect after her four-year ban was reduced from four years to nine months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS on Tuesday).

The two-time Grand Slam champion had been banned for four months after testing positive for Roxadustat in October 2022. In addition, Halep received a second charge by the International Tennis Integrity Agency, relating to her Athlete Biological Passport, which, it said, indicated use of a prohibited substance.

The Romanian did not contest the result but said the positive test had been the result of a contaminated supplement. Halep took her appeal to CAS and on Tuesday it ruled that her ingestion of Ruxadustrat was not intentional and that she “bore no significant fault or negligence”.

In a post on Instagram, Halep said she was glad to be vindicated and that she was already looking forward to returning to the Tour.

“In the midst of this challenging journey, my unwavering belief in the integrity of the truth and in the principles of justice has been my beacon,” Halep said. “Despite facing daunting accusations and formidable opposition, my spirit remained buoyant, anchored in my unwavering conviction of being a clean athlete. This ordeal has been a testament to resilience, and the triumph of truth is a bittersweet vindication that, albeit delayed, is immensely gratifying.”

“Looking forward, I am eager to turn this page and rejoin the tour with renewed vigour and an invigorated spirit.”

CAS rules contamination was not deliberate

In addition, CAS ruled that a private blood sample given by Halep on September 9, 2022 in relation to a a surgery, should be taken into account.

Halep free to play again

Halep had suggested that if she was not successful in reducing her ban from four years, she would probably retire.

But the 32-year-old, who recently said she had begun practising again, is now free to play again, with immediate effect, with her nine-month ban back-dated to October 7, 2022.

ITIA acknowledges CAS ruling

The International Tennis Integrity Agency said it looked forward to reading the ruling in full, in due course.

ITIA Chief Executive Officer, Karen Moorhouse, said: “An essential element of the anti-doping process is a player’s ability to appeal, and the ITIA respects both their right to do so, and the outcome.

“The ITIA awaits the full reasoned decision and will review it thoroughly in due course.”