Simona Halep refused to use Iga Swiatek’s name during a savage interview where the Romanian tennis player blasted the former world No.1.
Halep, who has topped the world rankings before herself, was banned for four years – later reduced to nine months – because of doping offences.
She had tested positive for Roxadustat at the 2022 US Open, but has since returned to the court following the expiration of her reduced ban.
However, Halep has been left frustrated by what she believes are lax punishments for Swiatek and ATP star Jannik Sinner, who have both been caught up in doping scandals this year.
Commenting on the case involving Swiatek, Halep said: “The woman player – I don’t want to give name, you know about who I’m talking about – she had the three-week suspension, then she played two events, and then she gets again suspension. What is this? I mean, I don’t understand. So I feel it is not fair.”
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