Simona Halep has admitted she feels "confused and betrayed" after a learning of her positive drug test. It was confirmed by the International Tennis Integrity Association, which oversees anti-doping and other integrity issues for the sport.
The two-time grand slam champion was found to have Roxadustat, an anti-anaemia drug, in her system after she was tested at the US Open in August. The drug is used to help spare patients with kidney disease the pain of injections if they develop anaemia and helps stimulate the production of red blood cells.
It works by mimicking the body's natural response to reduced oxygen in the blood – blocking an enzyme that limits the production of new red blood cells while increasing the absorption of iron in the blood. Studies have shown Studies show the drug is just as effective at boosting oxygen levels and alleviating symptoms as the current treatments.
After hearing the devastating news, the Romanian released a statement which read: "Today begins the hardest match of my life: a fight for the truth. I have been notified that I have tested positive for a substance called Roxadustat in an extremely low quantity, which came as the biggest shock of my life.
"Throughout my whole career, the idea of cheating never even crossed my mind once, as it is totally against all values I have been educated with. Facing such an unfair situation, I feel completely confused and betrayed.
"I will fight until the end to prove that I never knowingly took any prohibited substance and I have faith that sooner or later, the truth will come out. It's not about the titles or the money. It's about honour, and the love story I have developed with the game of tennis over the last 25 years."
Following the news, the world number 9 has been provisionally suspended from tennis. Halep has not played since she was dumped out of Flushing Meadows in the first round by Ukraine ’s Daria Snigur.
The 31-year-old reached the semi-finals at the All England Club this year before losing to eventual champion Elena Rybakina. After winning a warm-up tournament for the Australian Open back in January, Halep doubled her trophy tally for the year by capturing the Canadian Open in August.
The 2019 Wimbledon champion then brought an end to her season early to undergo nasal surgery. Following the shocking news, Halep is the highest-profile tennis player to fail a drugs test since Maria Sharapova six years ago.
