Romania born Simona Halep said she can’t wait to return to the tennis court after her doping ban has been reduced from four years to nine months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Having already served a provisional suspension since October 2022, she can return to tennis with immediate effect as the nine-month ban expired on July 6, 2023.
The 32-year-old Romanian star was banned by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) for “intentional” doping offences.
“My faith in the process was tested by the scandalous accusations that were levelled against me, and by the seemingly unlimited resources that were aligned against me. I cannot wait to return to the tour,” Halep said.
Meanwhile the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) acknowledges the decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
ITIA Chief Executive Officer, Karen Moorhouse, said: “An essential element of the anti-doping process is a player’s ability to appeal, and the ITIA respects both their right to do so, and the outcome.
“The ITIA awaits the full reasoned decision and will review it thoroughly in due course.”
PARIS - JUNE 08: Simona Halep of Romania hits a forehand during the Girl's Singles Final match against Elena Bogdan of Romania on day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 8, 2008 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)