On June 29, the case of two-time Grand Slam champion Simone Halep violating doping rules finally made new progress. On Wednesday, local time, Halep attended the hearing, and the verdict will be made in two weeks. If there is solid evidence that Halep is taking banned drugs, she could well face a two-year ban.
The last time Halep competed in an official tournament was at last year's US Open. After being out of the first round of the US Open, Halep underwent nose surgery, and shortly thereafter news broke that she had tested positive for the illegal drug roxadustat.
Halep's hearing has been postponed since February, and she has pointed the finger at the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). At Wednesday's hearing, Halep insisted on his innocence and presented evidence. However, in the face of the conclusive test report, Halep is likely to face a long-term suspension.
It is reported that the verdict will be made in two weeks, and it is reported that Halep may face a two-year ban, which will start in November 2022. Halep will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland, hoping to halve his ban.
Romanian tennis star Nastase, 76, defended his compatriot by saying that Halep had been discriminated against because he was Romanian, that the ITIA's verdict was unfair and that many top players had doped, but that the facts had been covered up because of financial gains.
Halep, who will turn 32 in September, has been ranked as the highest WTA world number one and has won one Wimbledon title and one French Open. Regardless of the final penalty outcome, the impact of this ban on Halep's competitive form and personal image will be fatal.