Simona Halep finally breaks her silence on Jannik Sinner's failed drug tests – and she's not happy
09/01/2024 12:30 PM
The tennis world was waiting for Simona Halep to give her verdict on Jannik Sinner’s missed drug tests and now she has offered up a predictably frustrated verdict on the story that continues to rock tennis.
Sinner tested positive for a banned substance twice in March but was absolved of fault or negligence by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).
The ITIA accepted Sinner's explanation that clostebol, an anabolic agent that can aid muscle growth, had accidentally entered his system via a product one of his team had used to treat a small wound.
The decision has been met with criticism in the tennis world, with some players surprised at the speed at which the case was heard, but Sinner says the quick timeframe was because he could explain the origin of the substance found in his body.
"Every player who gets tested positive has to go through the same process," he said. "There is no shortcut, there is no different treatment, they are all the same process.
"I know sometimes the frustration of other players obviously.
"But maybe because they got suspended they didn't know exactly where it comes from, also what substance, but the main reason is where it comes from and how it entered in his own system.
"We knew it straight away and we were aware of what happened. We went straight away and I was suspended for two or three days. I couldn't practice and everything, but they accepted it very, very fast and that's why I carried on playing."
Halep had a very different story to tell after the former Wimbledon champion tested positive for the blood-boosting drug Roxadustat at the US Open in 2022 and was handed the long ban last September.
US Open News
Jannik Sinner responds to stinging Nick Kyrgios swipes and hints at locker room hostility
Halep appealed to CAS and, following a hearing in February, the court has dramatically reduced the Romanian's suspension.
A CAS statement read: "The CAS panel has unanimously determined that the four-year period of ineligibility imposed by the ITF (International Tennis Federation) independent tribunal is to be reduced to a period of ineligibility of nine months starting on October 7, 2022, which period expired on July 6, 2023."
Now Halep has offered up her first comments on Sinner’s story after his failed drug test, as she joined the chorus of views suggesting the Italian was given ‘special’ treatement due to his status as the world No 1.
"I think it is clear that it was judged in a completely different way to my case and I don’t believe that is fair at all,” said Halep, as she was asked about the Sinner case.
“I suffered a lot during my whole process and I don’t think it was fair that I was not allowed to compete for so long.
“I believe that all athletes should have the same judgment and be treated the same, regardless of whether they are No 1 or No 200. All I want is to leave that stage of my life behind."
Sinner has admitted he has endured a frosty reception from fellow players at the US Open following his failed anti-doping tests controversy, but he has stressed the majority of the locker room have not changed their stance towards him.
"I was curious to see how the reaction of the fans has been, but it has been very positive," added Sinner.
"There are some reactions from other players. I cannot really control what they think.
"You know, that's how everything went and how it was.
"I cannot control the players' reaction, and if I have something to say to someone, I go there privately, because I'm this kind of person.
"Overall, it has been not bad. So I'm happy about that."
Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios has been among those most outspoken critics of Sinner since his failed drug test, with the Australian suggesting the Italian should have been banned from playing until his appeals were heard.
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