Provisionally suspended for doping since October 2022, Romania’s Simona Halep is suspected of a new violation of the International Federation’s anti-doping policy, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced on Friday. The biological pport (ABP) of the former world number one – an electronic file compiling the results of the anti-doping tests and the biological profile of the athlete – presents irregularities, according to the ITIA.
This is a separate matter from its positive control at Roxadustat, a substance that promotes endogenous erythropoietin (EPO) production, at the US Open in August 2022, the agency confirmed. The details of this new suspicion are not yet known. “It would be inappropriate for us to release details before the proceedings are concluded”explained Nicole Sapstead, director of the anti-doping section of the ITIA, in a press release.
Simona Halep (31), determined to find the courts, had decided to appeal to an independent panel concerning her suspension as a precaution. A hearing is scheduled for May 28.