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Two-time Grand Slam champion and former world number 1, Simona Halep has been out of competitive tennis since 2022. The former Wimbledon and French Open champion, who was provisionally suspended in October 2022 over doping charges, has intended to appeal on her ban, which has finally commenced from Wednesday, 7th February.
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The Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) on Wednesday commenced Halep’s appeal against a doping suspension, after she was tested positive for roxadustat, a banned drug that stimulates the production of red blood cells after her samples were collected at the US Open in 2022.
Notably, the CAS further added that the appeal will be heard behind closed doors over a course of three days, beginning Wednesday in Lausanne in Switzerland. The court has appointed The Hon. Annabella Bennett (Australia), President, Mr. Jeffery G. Benz (USA) and Prof. Ulrich Haas (Germany), who will hear the proceedings and announce the conclusion "at around 3:30 pm on 9 February 2024", as stated in the letter.
Speaking of Halep after being suspended in October 2022, which runs until October 2026, the 32-year-old Romanian international was also charged of another doping offense last year, citing irregularities in her Athlete Biological Passport (ABP). It is to be noted that the ABP serves as a method to monitor various blood parameters over a period of time for any potential indications of doping.
