Simona Halep keeps optimism alive amid the doping scandal that shook her life and shocked the tennis world. “Everywhere you go, take a smile with you,” wrote Halep in one of her Instagram Stories from the past days.
The former Wimbledon champion showed her optimism and will to fight for the truth when the doping allegations emerged. “Today begins the hardest game of my life: the battle for truth. I have been informed that I have tested positive for taking a substance called Roxadustat in an extremely low amount.
It’s the biggest shock of my life. Throughout my career, the idea of cheating has never crossed my mind even once, because it totally goes against all the values I was brought up through. Faced with such an unfair situation, I feel completely confused and betrayed.
I will fight to the end to prove that I have never knowingly taken any prohibited substance and I have the hope that sooner or later the truth will come out,” Halep announced. WTA CEO Steve Simon said he spoke to Simona Halep.
“I believe she didn’t do something intentionally. That said, I strongly believe in our anti-doping program, and I think it’s good, and our players support it too. And if you ask Simona, she supports it. I am very confident that as we move forward in the process, the truth will come out and we will address it accordingly.
But I have a lot of sympathy for Simona, because I would never question her integrity,” said Simon.
Halep returned to courts for training
Simona Halep was observed practicing at Romania’s Stejarii Complex. Ion Tiriac, a former prominent Romanian tennis player, owns the facility.
See the video showing Halep training in this article: Halep steps back on training court after doping scandal (WATCH).