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Tennis legend Boris Becker recently expressed his support for Simona Halep in the aftermath of her second doping breach.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed on Friday (May 19) that the former World No. 1 has been charged with a second breach of anti-doping rules. The Romanian has been provisionally suspended since October 2022 after testing positive for a banned substance called roxadustat, which stimulates red blood cell production, at the US Open last year.
According to the ITIA, the two-time Grand Slam winner has been charged again "relating to irregularities in her athlete biological passport." The Athlete Biological Passport program continuously monitors biological data to identify potential doping violations.
In light of this incident, six-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker took to Instagram to express his support for Simona Halep, wishing her luck in dealing with the situation.
"Good luck Simona," Becker wrote.
"I feel helpless facing such harassment" - Simona Halep
Simona Halep herself reacted to her second doping charge taking to social media, saying she believes the ITIA is constantly working to prove her guilt and that it has been her worst nightmare since last October.
"Since October 7, when I got charged by the ITIA, for a suspicion of doping, I have lived the worst nightmare I have ever gone through in my life."
"Not only has my name been soiled in the worst possible way, but I am facing a constant determination from the ITIA for a reason that I cannot understand, to prove my guilt while I haven't ever even thought of taking an illicit substance," she said.
The 31-year-old added that she feels helpless in the face of such harassment and that the only thing she wishes for right now is the opportunity to finally receive the justice she deserves.
"I feel helpless facing such harassment and motivation on their behalf to prove me guilty of something I never did. Once again, all my life I have been totally against any sort of cheating. It doesn't align with my values," she said.
"The only thing I hope for, at this point, is to have the possibility to finally access the independent and impartial judges in a Tribunal, that will give me the chance to prove my innocence," she added.
Simona Halep went on to say that she is looking forward to her hearing, which is set for the end of May 2023.
"I have full trust in justice and I look forward to finally being able to present my case at my hearing that is scheduled at the end of May, after several delays by the ITIA," she said.
