According to the Romanian publication ProSport, the first two important witnesses ready to testify in favor of Simona Halep in front of the court are her former coach Darren Cahill and physical trainer Teo Cercel. “Cercel can vouch for Halep’s honesty, integrity and integrity as a witness before the three-judge panel of London’s independent Sport Resolutions tribunal,” ProSport notes.
“Teo Cercel’s possible plea to the Sport Resolutions judges may be crucial given that the supplements used by Halep were contaminated (with Roxadustat, the drug identified in Simona’s A and B samples at the US Open) and produced in a drug factory,” the source also notes.
Cahill already stood up for Halep
Australian coach Darren Cahill believes there is “zero chance” Simona Halep took a prohibited substance on purpose. The ITIA announced that Halep had been provisionally suspended after testing positive for the anti-anaemia drug Roxadustat.
Cahill, who worked with Halep for six years, said she was always extremely cautious with medications and supplements. “Firstly, and most importantly, there is NO chance Simona knowingly or purposely took any substance on the banned list.
None. Zero. She is an athlete that stressed about anything prescribed to her by a medical professional (which was rarely), or about any supplement that she used or considered. Simona wore out the words “please double check this, triple check this to make sure it’s legal, safe and permitted.
If you are not sure, I’m not taking it,” Cahill wrote on Instagram.
In his Instagram post, Cahill said that during his time with Halep, the Romanian was always ready and willing to take a doping test.
“Simona’s integrity is faultless, she respects her peers, she loves the game and she always has her feet firmly planted on the ground as a humble, approachable champion,” Cahill insisted. Also, Cahill described Halep as a very honest person, who can’t lie or manipulate even if she wanted.
“Honesty has always been her greatest strength and her biggest weakness. We would often laugh about the fact that she can’t act and can’t tell a little white lie. Ask her a question in a press conference and she will blurt out an honest answer.
She wears her mood on her shoulder for the world to see, for good and for bad. That is Simo. What you see is what you get. She built an amazing career and legacy by doing things the hard way. The right way. Due process will now follow to reveal answers to many questions.
As Simona said, the hardest match of her life starts now. I believe in her. I always have and can honestly say never more than right now on this particular issue,” Cahill concluded his Instagram post about Halep.
