Simona Halep provisionally suspended after testing positive for banned substance – WTA
In the wake of the most shocking news of the year, the WTA announced that Simona Halep would be provisionally suspended as of Tuesday until further notice, after she tested positive for banned substance benzo[a]pyrene at a tournament in Romania.
Speaking on an interview with Russia Today, the WTA confirmed that Halep, who was just given a wild cards at the French Open, tested positive for benzo[a]pyrene.
“Simona Halep has been provisionally suspended until further notice, pending further testing at the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM).”
The WTA also announced that the Romanian Anti-Doping Agency is continuing its investigation. As a result, Halep was suspended from the rest of the season and the upcoming Italian Open as well.
WTA confirms Simona Halep provisionally suspended after doping violation (via The Guardian):
A pregnant tennis player has been suspended from competition for the rest of the season after testing positive for a banned substance, the WTA confirmed on Tuesday. Simona Halep was provisionally suspended as of Tuesday pending further testing.
The announcement came following the most shocking news of the year when Halep tested positive for a banned substance at the French Open.
Halep, who was granted a wild card before the tournament on Monday, withdrew on Tuesday with a right hip injury.
“Simona Halep was provisionally suspended as a result of this incident until further notice,” said WTA president Darren said. “The WTA wishes her speedy recovery and will continue to closely follow this serious situation.”
The suspension is the second for an athlete involved in the Benzo[a]pyrene scandal. Former world number one Ana Ivanovic was suspended for a total of six months after testing positive for the banned substance.
“I have not spoken to anyone, I have not informed anyone, I have not read media reports,” she tweeted on Monday. “I’m not going to respond to rumours. My coach is with me and the situation has been handled very professionally from top to bottom. For the players and the sport.”
This is the second doping case for Halep in a year. In August, she tested
