LAUSANNE: The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Tuesday reduced the four-year doping ban imposed on Romania’s former world number one Simona Halep to nine months, which have already been served.
The 32-year-old was suspended for four years last September by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) after two separate doping infractions the previous year.
The two-time Grand Slam singles champion appealed to CAS in February, arguing that the positive test was the result of a “contaminated product” and anomalies in her biological passport could be linked to surgery she had undergone.
“The CAS Panel has unanimously determined that the four-year period of ineligibility imposed by the ITF Independent Tribunal is to be reduced to a period of ineligibility of nine months starting on 7 October 2022, which period expired on 6 July 2023,” CAS said in a statement.
Halep’s career has been on hold since October 7, 2022, the date of the start of her provisional suspension after testing positive for Roxadustat at the US Open.
Roxadustat is a substance that can be used legitimately to treat anaemia.
But it is also on the World Anti-Doping Agency banned list as it is considered a blood-doping agent, which increases haemoglobin and the production of red blood cells.
The biological passport system is designed for the long-term monitoring of an athlete’s blood indicators with the aim of identifying irregularities that could indicate doping.
Halep has protested her innocence and refused to accept the ITIA decision which would have kept keep her from playing professional tennis again until October 6, 2026.
The winner of the 2018 French Open and 2019 Wimbledon singles titles said she wanted to “clear her name” and claimed experts found she had accidentally taken a contaminated supplement.
Halep free to return after four-year doping ban reduced by CAS
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Halep free to return after four-year doping ban reduced by CAS
- The two-time Grand Slam singles champion appealed to CAS in February, arguing that the positive test was the result of a “contaminated product”
- Halep’s career has been on hold since October 7, 2022
Semifinals’ lineup complete as historic wheelchair tennis debuts at Abu Dhabi Open
- Tauson, Bejlek, Alexandrova and Baptiste secure semifinal spots, while Eala and Tjen advance in doubles
- Crowd favorite Eala exits after straight-sets defeat by Alexandrova
ABU DHABI: Thursday saw a landmark achieved at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open as wheelchair tennis made its groundbreaking debut alongside a decisive quarterfinal sweep that saw Clara Tauson, Sara Bejlek, Ekaterina Alexandrova and Hailey Baptiste advance to the semifinals.
Tauson beat McCartney Kessler in an impressive performance, while Czech qualifier Bejlek dropped just two games to dispatch British No. 2 Sonay Kartal. Alexandrova, the highest seed remaining in the tournament, ended Alexandra Eala’s run in straight sets, before Baptiste overcame Liudmila Samsonova in three sets.
“McCartney played some good tennis, but I also played well,” said Tauson. “She was hitting some very good winners, but I kept my cool, kept fighting and that helped me a lot today. It’s great to be in the semifinals.”
In the doubles semifinal on ADCB Court 1, Eala and Janice Tjen delivered an impressive performance in front of packed crowds to defeat Cristina Bucşa and Shuai Zhang in straight sets.
“We were trying to be aggressive and have fun,” said Eala. “When you have a good relationship with your partner, you’re not afraid to go with your gut. If you make errors, it’s okay because you have that chemistry and you’re willing to try what feels right.”
Away from the main draw action, history was made as the tournament launched its inaugural Mubadala Wheelchair Tennis Invitational presented by the WTA Foundation, becoming the first standalone WTA event to feature wheelchair tennis.
The three-player tournament saw wheelchair tennis legend Jiske Griffioen of the Netherlands defeat Maria Angélica Bernal of Colombia in today’s opening match, securing her place in Saturday’s final against world No. 1 Yui Kamiji of Japan.
Off the court, the day delivered inspiring moments for fans and the community. Wheelchair tennis stars Griffioen, Bernal and Kamiji hosted a clinic with Heroes of Hope — the UAE’s non-profit sports academy — with children welcomed onto the court for an unforgettable experience. Slovak star Tereza Mihalikova spent time with schoolchildren, signing autographs and taking photos, while Bejlek engaged with fans through an exclusive Q&A at the Mubadala Hospitality Pavilion.
Nigel Gupta, tournament director at organizers MARI, said: “Today has been historic for wheelchair tennis. The inaugural invitational has already captured the imagination and having Yui and Jiske heading to Saturday’s final showcases the extraordinary level of this sport. “Alongside that, the quarterfinals produced the kind of brilliant tennis we expect at this level, setting up compelling semifinals matchups tomorrow in both the singles and doubles.”
The semifinals will take place on Friday. On Stadium Court, the doubles semifinal begins at 4 p.m. with Mihalikova and Nicholls facing Eala and Tjen. Baptiste then takes on Alexandrova in a singles semifinal, followed by Bejlek clashing with Tauson. On ADCB Court 1, Sofia Kenin and Desirae Krawczyk battle Alexandrova and Maya Joint in the other doubles semifinal.
The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open final takes place on Saturday, Feb. 7.
