Simona Halep's coach Patrick Mouratoglou deplores "harassment" after second doping charge imposed

Simona Halep’s coach Patrick Mouratoglou has expressed strong disapproval over the latest negative development in her doping scandal.

On Friday, May 19, Halep was charged with an additional, separate breach of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP), relating to irregularities found in her Athlete Biological Passport (ABP). The test is used to monitor and indicate the effects caused by the banned substance rather than merely detecting its presence.

The additional charge against Simona Halep comes seven months after she was slapped with a provisional suspension in October 2022, for failing the anti-doping test at the US Open. The Romanian tested positive for a banned substance called “Roxadustat,” which is a blood-boosting drug, primarily used to treat Anemia.

Simona Halep’s coach Patrick Mouratoglou, who has had her back since the first charges were imposed, was infuriated with the latest development, and condemned the 'harassment.’

"This harrasment is going way past the limits of the acceptable," he wrote.

Patrick Mouratoglou on Instagram

Halep had recently expressed her displeasure about the frequent “unfair” delays in the handling of her case and was stunned by the new charges. She called the whole ordeal her “worst nightmare”. She also suggested that the body was going above and beyond to prove her guilty for something she “never did”

"I have lived the worst nightmare I have ever gone through in my life," Halep said. "I feel helpless facing such harassment and a motivation on their behalf to prove me guilty of something I never did."

She stated that she is hoping for an “impartial” judgment by an independent tribunal in order to prove her innocence.

"The only thing I hope for, at this point, is to have the possibility to finally access the independent and impartial judges in a Tribunal, that will give me the chance to prove my innocence," the two-time Grand Slam champion said.

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"We will continue to engage with Ms. Halep's representatives as expeditiously as possible" – ITIA Senior Director on Simona Halep doping case

Simona Halep at the 2022 US Open

In the new statement released by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) regarding Simona Halep’s doping trial, the organization’s Senior Director Nicole Sapstead acknowledged the case’s high-profile nature. She also maintained that the body has been working empathetically and efficiently in order to reach the right conclusion.

“We understand that today’s announcement adds complexity to an already high-profile situation. From the outset of this process – and indeed any other at the ITIA – we have remained committed to engaging with Ms. Halep in an empathetic, efficient, and timely manner," Sapstead said.

The official noted that while the specifics of the charges cannot be made public, the body will continue to cooperate with the Sports Resolutions Independent tribunal and the former World No. 1 as efficiently as possible.

"We do, of course, appreciate there is a great deal of media interest in these cases," Sapstead added. "It would be inappropriate for us to comment on specifics until the conclusion of the process, but we will continue to engage with the Sport Resolutions independent tribunal and Ms. Halep’s representatives as expeditiously as possible."