Halep leaves the Madrid Open
Halep leaves the Madrid Open
The Romanian player said she needed more time to prepare physically for the highest level of competition after being out of action for more than 18 months, so Simona Halep has withdrawn from the Madrid Open next week in order to focus on her fitness.
After having her four-year doping penalty shortened to nine months by the world's top court in March, the former Wimbledon and French Open champion entered the Miami Open on a wildcard and lost to Paula Badosa in the first round.
After having her four-year doping penalty shortened to nine months by the world's top court in March, the former Wimbledon and French Open champion entered the Miami Open on a wildcard and lost to Paula Badosa in the first round.
"Unfortunately my body needs a little more time to be ready and I have made the tough decision not to play in Madrid," she stated in a post on X.
It's difficult because I want to go back on tour right away, but wisdom dictates that I shouldn't rush. I'm grateful to my supporters and @MutuaMadridOpen for offering me the wildcard."
After testing positive for roxadustat, a prohibited substance that increases the formation of red blood cells, at the U.S. Open in 2022, the former world number one was suspended in October of that same year.
Athlete biological passport anomalies, which track several blood parameters over time to identify for doping, led to the 32 Year-old being charged with a further offense last year.
It's difficult because I want to go back on tour right away, but wisdom dictates that I shouldn't rush. I'm grateful to my supporters and @MutuaMadridOpen for offering me the wildcard."
After testing positive for roxadustat, a prohibited substance that increases the formation of red blood cells, at the U.S. Open in 2022, the former world number one was suspended in October of that same year.
Athlete biological passport anomalies, which track several blood parameters over time to identify for doping, led to the 32 Year-old being charged with a further offense last year.
But the Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced Halep's punishment to nine months after adopting the Romanian's argument that a tainted supplement was the cause of her positive drug test, allowing the athlete—who denied any wrongdoing—to resume competition.
Halep was ranked inside the top 10 when she was suspended but has since seen her ranking plummet to 1,146.
The WTA has begun a review of its rules that could see players cleared of doping offences or have their bans reduced return to the circuit with "special rankings" in future, the governing body of women's tennis told Reuters last month.
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