Simona Halep, the former world No 1, has been charged with a second doping offence after analysis of her blood tests showed “irregularities”, the International Tennis Integrity Agency announced on Friday.
Halep is seven months into a provisional suspension after testing positive for Roxadustat, an oral medication used to treat anaemia, at last year’s US Open.
The ITIA said in a statement that an assessment of Halep’s biological passport, essentially a compilation of blood samples taken over time that are tested for changes that might indicate doping, showed evidence of irregularities, prompting the second charge.
The Romanian, who has vigorously denied any wrongdoing, countered that she is “a victim of contamination”, insisting that expert analysis of her blood has revealed no abnormalities. In a statement on social media, Halep expressed frustration that she has not yet had the opportunity to have her case heard by an independent tribunal, accusing the ITIA of hounding her.
“Since October 7, when I got charged by the ITIA for a suspicion of doping, I have lived the worst nightmare I have ever gone through in my life,” wrote Halep.
“Not only has my name been soiled in the worst possible way, but I am facing a constant determination from the ITIA for a reason that I cannot understand, to prove my guilt while I haven’t ever even thought of taking any illicit substance.
“I tried two times to have the opportunity to be judged by an independent tribunal and the ITIA has constantly found reasons to postpone.
“Now that we have clearly established that I have been victim of a contamination, they came up with a so-called not normal evolution of my blood. Three world renowned experts that have studied my blood tests have been extremely clear that my blood is totally normal.
“I feel helpless facing such harassment and a motivation on their behalf to prove me guilty of something I never did.”
Halep spoke last month of her frustration over the protracted nature of the case, saying it was “tough to lose days, weeks, and months” of her career while the IATI completes its investigation. The 31-year-old, the most prominent female player to fail a drugs test since Maria Sharapova was banned for taking meldonium, a drug used to treat cardiac issues, in 2016, said she hoped to prove her innocence at a hearing set for the end of May.
“We understand that today’s announcement adds complexity to an already high-profile situation,” said Nicole Sapstead, senior director for anti-doping at the ITIA.
“From the outset of this process – and indeed any other at the ITIA – we have remained committed to engaging with Ms Halep in an empathetic, efficient, and timely manner.
“It would be inappropriate for us to comment on specifics until the conclusion of the process, but we will continue to engage with the Sport Resolutions independent tribunal and Ms Halep’s representatives as expeditiously as possible.”