In March 2024, the former leader of WTA Simon Halep returned to professional competition after a year and a half break resulting from the process that began after a positive anti -doping test. Originally, the tennis player was punished with a four -year suspension, but later it was reduced to several months. The 33-year-old had to rebuild her ranking again, but last season she played five matches through numerous health problems. She recorded one victory in them.
Another storm around Simona Halep. “There is a question mark”
The beginning of the new year for Simona Halep was terrible. She inaugurated him in the World Tennis League World Tournament, after which she decided to withdraw from Australian Open because of his next injury. Her next start was the home tournament WTA 250 Transylvania Open in Kuj-Napoce. 1192 days have passed since the last performance of Rumunki in their homeland in the WTA Tour event.
The holiday turned out to be a wake. Halep lost in 59 minutes 1: 6, 1: 6 to Lucia Bronzetti, and after the match announced the end of her career. – I don't know if I say it sadly or with joy. I think that both these feelings accompany me. […] I have always been a realist towards myself and my body. He takes a long time to get where I was. It's very difficult and I know how much it means. That's why I wanted to be here today, in Curse -Napoce and play before you and say “goodbye” on the court – she said.
During her career, the 33-year-old won 24 tournaments, she was the leader of the WTA ranking, as well as the Grand Slam winner two times, so it is not surprising that the door to the tennis Gallery of Sław (“Hall-of-Fame”) for the greatest legends, according to many, should stay for her opened, despite the doping scandal. The opposite opinion is Jimmy Arias, former No. 5 in the world of ATP.
– I would not like it, of course, there is a star next to her name. You will always think about it. The results are, titles are. 40 million in cash prizes will still be there, which is nice to her – Arias began his statement on Tennis Channel. The former tennis player has doubts as to whether Halep won her titles of the Great Slam “in accordance with the law”, even though Romanian has a positive test result three years after the best years of her career.
– But it is difficult because there is a question mark: “Did she do it honestly, was there any advantage” and how many matches were it? In a sense, we don't know the answer. This makes me happy that I am not someone who is voting for the one who gets to the Gallery of Sław – summed up Arias. In the tennis gallery of fame there is, among others Maria Szarapowa, who was once disqualified for doping.