Simona Halep's coach Patrick Mouratoglou raises questions about Romanian's latest doping charges

Renowned tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou recently commented on Simona Halep's latest doping violation case. He criticized the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) for 'harassing' the former World No. 1.

Two-time Grand Slam champion Halep has been charged with a second anti-doping rule violation while provisionally suspended following a positive doping test in 2022.

The Romanian responded to the new charge by accusing the anti-doping bodies of "harassment," an accusation that was also echoed by her coach, Mouratoglou.

"First of all, I want to say that I had planned to stay away from any public comments on Simona Halep’s case as I truly believed that the ITIA would conduct a fair investigation to establish the truth. The fact that I don’t have the same feeling at all now is disturbing, and has finally brought me to write these few words," he said.

Mouratoglou defended Halep's innocence and reiterated his support for the 31-year-old.

"I know there is no way she would have ever done anything that would have been illegal. The support of the world of tennis for her has been extremely strong because we all know that she would have never done what she is accused of. Since the day the ITIA charged her, I have been and will continue to be next to her every single day to support her in her fight for the truth."

The Frenchman urged the ITIA to end the "harassment" Halep is being subjected to.

"I ask the ITIA to stop this harassment that is inconceivable. First, I want to say that I am a strong advocate for a clean sport. I believe that tennis needs an anti-doping system that is able to chase the cheaters," Mouratoglou added.

The coach most famously known for working with Serena Williams explained that Simona Halep allegedly presented "multiple evidences of her innocence" to the ITIA.

"This being said, I am extremely shocked by the way this case has been conducted. I thought that the ITIA would pursue the goal to establish the truth, but they clearly try to prove her guilty even though she has been able to show multiple evidence of her innocence since December 2022."

Mouratoglou concluded by saying that the Romanian doesn't ask for any special treatment and wants only to be judged by an independent tribunal.

"This last charge, which is totally linked with the first case, is a pure interpretation of her blood passport. In other words, the ITIA hasn’t found any illegal substance in her blood but just states that her blood parameters are 'suspicious'. Well renowned experts who checked on them have established that this statement is totally wrong and a biased interpretation and that her blood parameters are perfectly normal," he explained.

The hearing for Simona Halep's case, which was supposed to happen in February, is scheduled for the end of May 2023.

Simona Halep was suspended for a positive doping test taken at the 2022 US Open

2022 US Open - Simona Halep

Simona Halep has been provisionally suspended by the International Tennis Integrity Agency facing a possible four-year ban from tennis after allegedly failing a drug test during the 2022 US Open.

The ITIA then announced the suspension of the two-time Grand Slam champion, saying she tested positive for the banned substance roxadustat.

The World No. 9 at the time immediately issued a statement, saying she was "confused and betrayed" and that she will start a "fight for the truth."

Halep played her last match at the mentioned US Open, where she lost to the Ukrainian qualifier Daria Snigur, 2-6, 6-0, 4-6.