Simona Halep’s former coach Adrian Marcu was astonished by the news that the Romanian tennis icon has been suspended for doping and his only possible scenario is that the medication Halep takes to deal with thyroid problems could have contained the prohibited drug.
“I can say that I know Simona quite well. I have worked with her a lot and I know that she is an athlete who, in terms of medication, has always been careful. Honestly, I can’t believe that she would have done such a thing, especially since it’s something that would have improved her physical side, which was top-notch anyway.
I don’t know why she would do this,” said Marcu for Romanian publication Digi Sport. “If we think about it, Simona’s strong point was the physical part. I’m amazed this happened. They are going to do their best and see where this substance came from.
An athlete of Simona’s worth must, first of all, announce every day where she will be tomorrow, and I believe that Simona has done hundreds of anti-doping tests. I think it’s hard for it to be a medical error, but I know that Simona also has some thyroid problems.
It’s a difficult situation for a great athlete, who I think is fair and honest. I have known her for a long time and was with her 24/7. Strictly speaking, I don’t see how it happened. I talked to her, but I wouldn’t have much to tell you.
I just told her if I could help her with anything. I think that this did not happen and I wish him a lot of success to prove that it was not so,” said Adrian Marcu as quoted by Digi Sport.
Halep’s reaction after the doping test
Halep issued a statement following the controversy, stating that she has never considered cheating in any way.
“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 the 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 money. It’s about honour, and the love story I have developed with the game of tennis over the last 25 years,” Halep said in a statement.
