Former women’s world No. 1 Simona Halep has raised concerns over the perceived disparity in treatment by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) in comparison to other players, notably Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner.
Swiatek recently accepted a one-month suspension for testing positive for trimetazidine, with the ITIA deeming her fault as minimal. In contrast, Halep faced a four-year ban for a doping violation involving Roxadustat, which was later reduced to nine months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Halep expressed her frustration on Instagram, questioning the fairness of the ITIA's actions and suggesting bias against her. The ITIA responded by emphasizing that each case is evaluated based on evidence, not player status, and highlighted differences in the circumstances of Swiatek's and Halep's cases.
Notably, Halep was also accused of ABP irregularities, a charge that CAS dismissed. She criticized the prolonged process and the damaging accusations made against her.
The ITIA has faced criticism over its handling of Sinner's case as well, with the men's world No. 1 avoiding suspension despite multiple positive tests. WADA has since lodged an appeal with CAS regarding Sinner's case.
Halep expressed the toll these incidents have taken on her career and mental well-being, questioning the inconsistency in ITIA's approach to similar cases. She urged caution to players regarding supplements and emphasized the need for clarity in anti-doping procedures.
As controversies surrounding doping cases continue to unfold in the tennis world, the ITIA faces scrutiny over its handling of such matters and the impact on players' careers and reputations.
