Awaiting her hearing in February at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Simona Halep shared with Euronews’ Tokunbo Salako that a four-year doping suspension could end her career. This turmoil has deeply affected her emotionally and eroded trust in her professional relationships. Nevertheless, the two-time Grand Slam champion holds onto hope, determined to reduce her ban and aim for participation in the Paris Olympics 2024.
“Every day it felt very painful, very emotional, hurtful, because I know I didn’t do anything wrong and I know I’m clean,” said the former world No.1 Halep, who insists that her testing positive for the drug roxadustat at the 2022 US Open was a result of contamination.
As the 32-year-old awaits the three-day hearing scheduled for February 7-9 with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, she holds faith in her compelling evidence to defend herself. Still, the prospect of an unfavorable final decision weighs heavily on her:
“It’s catastrophic if it’s going to be four years, and I don’t know how I will handle it. Probably, it’s going to be the end of my career, yes. And for something that I didn’t do and that is not my fault, it’s even more catastrophic.”
Going forward, another immense challenge for Halep lies in rebuilding trust in her team…
