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Former World No. 1 Chris Evert has expressed her support for Simona Halep after the Romanian was charged with a second doping violation by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).
Halep has been provisionally suspended from the tour since October 2022 after she tested positive for Roxadustat, a banned substance, at the US Open. On Friday, May 19, the ITIA charged the Romanian with a second doping offense which is "separate and in addition to" her charges from last year.
The agency announced that the basis for the charge stemmed from irregularities in her athlete's biological passport as determined by an independent expert panel. The Athlete Biological Passport program continuously monitors biological data to detect possible doping violations.
When asked for her opinion on the matter by a fan on social media, Chris Evert expressed skepticism over the idea that the two-time Grand Slam champion would intentionally use performance-enhancing drugs.
"It’s very hard for me to believe Simona would intentionally use PED’s….," Evert tweeted.
"I feel helpless facing such harassment" - Simona Halep on being charged with a second doping offense
In response to being charged with a second doping violation by the ITIA, Simona Halep released a statement on social media.
Halep stated her belief that the IATA was constantly working to prove her guilt even though, by her own admission, she has never once even thought of taking any banned substance.
"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," Halep said.
"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 any illicit substance," she added.
The Romanian further stated that she felt helpless in the face of such harassment and that the only thing she wished for is the chance to defend herself in front of an independent jury.
"I feel helpless facing such harassment and a 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 expressed.
"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 concluded.
Simona Halep is set to appear before an independent tribunal for a hearing on May 28.
