Simona Halep's eye-opening new claims about coach over tennis doping ban

Simona Halep has blamed her former coach Patrick Mouratoglou, for 'destroying' her career through his negligence. The two-time grand slam champion was dealt a devastating blow earlier this year when she was banned for four years over two separate anti-doping rule violations.

The Wimbledon and Roland Garros winner has been suspended since October 2022 after failing a test for the blood-boosting substance Roxadustat. Halep immediately appealed the ruling and her hearing was pushed back several times, before a second charge was brought against her for irregularities in her Athlete Biological Passport. She is set to appeal the ban early next year.

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Now in an explosive interview with Paris Match, the Romanian tennis star proclaims she is innocent and her former coach is the reason behind all her misfortunes. Halep began collaborating with Mouratoglou in April 2022 and just four months later returned a positive test. The former world No.1 insists she had no idea the supplement provided by her coaching team included a banned substance.

The European Union's medicines agency says the Roxadustat stimulates the body to produce more of the natural hormone erythropoietin, more commonly known as EPO. The substance has long been a doping product favoured by endurance athletes as it enhances an individual's cardio capabilities.

Halep says although she doesn't believe it was maliciously done by her former coach, he suggested the supplement to her that contained the banned substance. "I’m sure it wasn’t done intentionally and I’m grateful he admits the mistake was his and his team's," Halep said.

"They are the ones who gave me this food supplement. And for this error – their error – I am the only one to pay the high price. Twenty-five years of career destroyed."

Mouratoglou takes the blame for Halep’s doping saga

The French coach has been working on clearing Halep's name, previously taking to Instagram to confess how he feels responsible for what happened. In the video, Mouratoglou says that it was his team that brought Halep the banned collagen.

"So, we proposed her to take collagen from a company," he said. "She’s a victim." The legendary tennis coach continues to push to clear Halep's name, insisting he wants to see Halep return to the tennis court 'as soon as possible'.

Simona Halep given date for four-year doping ban appeal

The two-time grand slam champion has been given an appeal hearing date in February to challenge her four-year ban for doping. The three-day hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport is set for February 7-9 for Halep's appeal against the International Tennis Integrity Agency ban.

The court set no target for a verdict, which can take several months from a panel of three judges. Halep will be 35 when her ban is due to expire in October 2026.

- with AAP

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