World No. 1 Simona Halep (31, Romania), who is unable to play on the Women’s Professional Tennis (WTA) tour due to taking a banned drug, is once again caught up in doping suspicions.

On the 20th, the International Tennis Integrity Organization (ITIA) said, “As a result of looking into Halef’s athlete’s Biological Passport, a problem was found.” ABP is a system that collects blood, urine, etc. of athletes and monitors biomarkers. Through this, the number of red blood cells and white blood cells and the concentration of steroid metabolites can be tracked, and doping violations can be detected.

Halep, who has a record of 24 career victories, including her two major tournaments, was sentenced to a provisional suspension after a doping test at last year’s US Open revealed she had taken the banned drug loxadustate. Roxadustat is a banned drug that is mainly found in athletes in sports that require cardiorespiratory endurance, such as road cycling and long-distance running.

Halep, who is scheduled to attend a hearing at the end of this month when the French Open begins in relation to the existing doping allegations, told Social Network Service (SNS) about the new doping allegations, “I didn’t even think about taking illegal drugs, but ITIA decided to prove my guilt. He claimed innocence, saying, “My reputation is being tarnished in the worst way.” Halef said, “During my career, I have been against cheating of any kind. (Taking banned substances) doesn’t fit my values,” she says, adding that contamination of supplements is a problem.

Even among his colleagues, there are not a few voices of support for Halef. ‘Legend’ Chris Evert, winner of 18 major tournaments, said, “It’s hard to believe that Simona would intentionally use a banned substance.” Even Ashley Barty, who came into her surprise retirement after winning the Australian Open last year when she was world number one, also cheered, saying, “She will struggle to find her to compete on the world’s best stage, which she absolutely loves.”메이저사이트

Patrick Muratoglu, coach of Halep, who coaches world-class players, said on social media, “ITIA’s unimaginable harassment (towards Halep) must stop.” He wrote, “I am trying to prove my guilt even though there is evidence to prove my innocence several times since March.”

The ITIA said, “We are fully aware that this announcement adds to the complexity of a case that has already received high attention. We are working hard to communicate with Halef in a sympathetic, efficient and timely manner.” .