Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep has now been cleared to return to professional tennis after successfully appealing her four-year doping ban. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reduced the ban to nine months, acknowledging that Halep’s positive test for a banned substance was likely unintentional. Halep is now free to return to the WTA Tour after the nine-month ban was backdated.
“I cannot wait to return to the tour,” Halep commented in a statement released by her lawyer.
Halep tested positive for roxadustat back in October -22, a substance that stimulates the production of red blood cells. She also had an abnormal Athlete Biological Passport (ABP), which can be an indicator of doping. However, Halep argued her innocence, arguing that the roxadustat came from a contaminated supplement and that the ABP anomaly was not caused by performance-enhancing drugs.
Halep’s explanation accepted
CAS accepted Halep’s explanation, crediting her “no fault or negligence” in the case. As she had already served the nine-month suspension during the provisional ban period, Halep is now eligible to compete immediately.
The news comes as a significant relief for the 32-year-old Romanian player, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Halep, a former world number one in the WTA rankings, has won both the French Open and Wimbledon titles during her career.
Her return to the court will surely to be met with mixed reactions, with some fans welcoming her back and others questioning the CAS decision.
