Simona Halep slams latest delay in doping hearing after second charge

Simona Halep was highly critical of her treatment at the hands of the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) after her latest doping case hearing was postponed.

Last week, the 31-year-old Romanian tennis star was hit with a second doping offense charge due to "irregularities" detected in her biological passport. This comes after her suspension in October, following a positive test for a prohibited substance during the US Open.

Taking to Twitter on Monday night, Halep accused the ITIA of "publicly stating one thing while privately doing another" after requesting a third delay in her doping hearing.

"I am once again extremely shocked and disappointed by the ITIA's attitude," Halep wrote in a statement.

"While the ITIA via their representative Nicole Sapstead was publicly stating three days ago that the ITIA 'has remained committed to engaging Mrs Halep in an empathetic, efficient and timely manner', they were at the same time officially requesting the tribunal to delay my hearing... for the third time.

"The ITIA publicly states one thing while privately doing another, I have repeatedly asked for my hearing and the ITIA has repeatedly sought to delay it. When is it going to stop? I ask the question once again. I am entitled to a quick hearing. Acting this way is contrary to my rights."

However, an ITIA spokesperson responded by saying this latest delay was solely due to Halep failing a second doping test, with the decision being made to combine the two cases into one hearing.

An ITIA spokesperson said: "We have proposed that both charges are heard together to avoid multiple hearings. To do this, we wish to provide all parties (including the independent tribunal) sufficient time to consider the significant materials associated with the latest charge.

"Ultimately it is a decision for the independent tribunal. Ms Halep also has the opportunity to make her representations to them."

On Friday, the ITIA announced that Halep had received a second anti-doping charge.

"The additional charge of an Adverse Passport Finding was based on an assessment of Ms. Halep's ABP profile by an independent ABP Expert Panel. That charge is separate and in addition to the existing Roxadustat charge from August 2022 which triggered Ms. Halep's original provisional suspension," the body said in a statement.