Simona Halep begins training on clay amidst doping suspension, leaves fans hopeful of impending comeback

World No. 19 Simona Halep has given her fans some much-needed positive news in the midst of her controversial doping suspension.

The two-time Grand Slam champion was suspended from tennis after failing a doping test following her first-round loss at the 2022 US Open. Halep, however, pleaded her innocence and vowed to fight for the truth after receiving the suspension.

She denied knowingly taking any banned substances and stayed optimistic about returning to the women's tour soon. In light of that, and much to the delight of her fans, the 2019 French Open champion shared a positive update on her social media on Friday, posting a picture of her training session on a clay court.

Simona Halep shares a picture while training for the first time in a few months on the tennis court

The 31-year-old seemed to be in decent form before succumbing to the unexpected roadblock in her career. She entered the US Open on the back of a semifinal run at the 2022 Wimbledon Championships and a title-winning run at the Canadian Open.

The former World No. 1 tested positive for extremely low levels of a substance called Roxadustat, an anti-anaemia medicine that promotes the creation of red blood cells, at Flushing Meadows. It is featured on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of prohibited substances.

Halep, who has always displayed a humble attitude on and off the tennis court, came out with a statement addressing the situation to the tennis fraternity and her fans around the world.

"Throughout my whole career, the idea of cheating never even crossed my mind once, as it is totally against all the values I have been educated with. Facing such an unfair situation, I feel completely confused and betrayed."

"I will fight until the end to prove that I never knowingly took any prohibited substance and I have faith that, sooner or later, the truth will come out. It’s not about the titles or money. It’s about honor, and the love story I have developed with the game of tennis over the last 25 years,” Simona Halep said

"Simona Halep would never cheat" – Romanian's ex-husband Toni Luruc comes to her defense

National Bank Open Toronto - Day 9 Simona Halep

Simona Halep's ex-husband Toni Luruc has supported his ex-wife during this difficult period in her tennis career. After learning about the suspension, Lurac was quick to voice his opinion in favor of the former World No. 1 and stated that there was no chance that Halep would have done such a thing on purpose or even thought about cheating.

"I've known Simona for three years, of which at least two in the circuit, and I swear to you that this girl, my ex-wife, is obsessed with one thing: honor! You can take anything from Simona, (but) if you (take) away her honor, her fairness, you kill her!"

"I don't know what happened there with that test, but it's probably a mistake. Simona would not have done such a thing even if you had cut off her hand to stop playing tennis. Simona Halep would never cheat, her career is her shield and I know her best," he said.

If she does make a comeback on clay, the two-time Grand Slam champion will have the opportunity to gain some quick points as she did not have good results on the surface last year -- quarterfinals at the Madrid Open, Round of 32 at the Italian Open and second round at the French Open.