Simona Halep revived painful memories regarding her doping suspension after Iga Swiatek received a mere one-month ban for a doping violation involving contaminated non-prescription medication (melatonin). Halep, who endured a grueling 18-month suspension and significant career setbacks, took to Instagram to express her dismay at what she perceives as an unjust disparity in the treatment of their cases by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).
Simona Halep
Halep was provisionally suspended in October 2022 after testing positive for roxadustat, a banned substance. Despite presenting evidence that the trace amounts found in her system came from a contaminated supplement, Halep faced a four-year ban in September 2023, which was later reduced to nine months following an appeal.
