"Contrary to my rights" – Simona Halep freshly accuses ITIA of new delay appeal in doping case

Simona Halep has severely condemned the International Tennis Integrity Agency's (ITIA) new postponement appeal just days after she was hit with a second charge in her doping case.

On Friday, May 19, the ITIA released a statement accusing Halep of a second doping breach – pertaining to irregularities in her Athlete Biological Passport (ABP). Halep, who has maintained her innocence ever since the original doping accusation in October 2022, refuted the latest charges and insinuated that the ITIA was intent on “proving her guilt.”

It now seems that Halep’s long battle for justice has hit yet another roadblock as the tennis player has revealed that the ITIA freshly appealed for yet another delay in her hearing just days after slapping her with new charges.

“I am once again extremely shocked and disappointed by the ITIA’s attitude,” Halep wrote in an impassioned post on social media.

She accused ITIA’s senior director Nicole Sapstead of two-facedness following the latest delay appeal. Sapstead, in recent statements, had claimed that the organization has been cooperating with Halep in an “empathetic, efficient, and timely manner.”

“While the ITIA via their representative Nicole Sapstead was publicly stating 3 days ago that the ITIA ‘has remained committed to engaging Mrs Halep in an empathetic, efficient and timely manner,’ they were at the same time officially requesting the Tribunal to delay my hearing… for the third time,” Halep remarked.

“The ITIA publicly states one thing while privately doing another. I have repeatedly asked for my hearing and the ITIA has repeatedly sought to delay it,” she added.

The two-time Grand Slam champion yet again made a plea for a quick hearing and stated that the organization’s relentless mistreatment was “contrary to her right.”

“When is it going to stop? I ask the question once again. I am entitled to a quick hearing. Acting this way is contrary to my rights,” she stated.

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"Double game politics" – Boris Becker and Simona Halep's coach Patrick Mouratoglou extend support after latest accusation

The former World No. 1's coach Patrick Mouratoglou has had her back throughout the ordeal

Simona Halep’s coach Patrick Mouratoglou has jumped to her defense. Having previously criticized the ITIA’s “inconceivable harassment”, he has now blasted the organization for playing double-game politics.

“Double game politics. The game they play since day1,” Mouratoglou wrote.

Boris Becker, who has similarly rallied behind the Romanian throughout the ordeal, shared words of support and declared that the truth will prevail.

“Stay strong and committed! The truth will prevail! Respect,” he wrote.

Patrick Mouratoglou and Boris Becker on Instagram

Halep has received the support of numerous significant tennis figures ever since her initial doping test results came to light.