Last year, the doping scandal of Simona Halep shook the tennis world to its core. The Romanian tennis star received a ban of four years for testing positive for a banned substance and having irregularities in her biological passport. However, Halep maintained her innocence in this case and even appealed against her ban. On the other hand, she blamed her coaching staff for the mess created. Among them was Serena Williams’ ex-coach, Patrick Mouratoglou. Recently, Halep’s compatriot and former tennis player, Ilie Nastase, backed the former World Number One’s claims.

Halep has received widespread support from the tennis world ever since her doping case came to light. She even broke down on multiple occasions, as it had seriously affected her tennis career. Here’s what Nastase had to say.

Ilie Nastase slams Mouratoglou amid the doping ban of Simona Halep

Nastase was a renowned tennis player in the 80s. The Romanian star was known for his antics and often amused the crowd with his surprise moves. On this occasion, he caught the headlines after speaking up against Patrick Mouratoglou, yet again reigniting his rivalry with Serena Williams.

Nastase said, “He can lie, he should have admitted from the beginning. Well, that’s ridiculous, it’s been a year. He’s been doing this thing, I don’t understand why he didn’t do it when he should have, it’s too late now, in my opinion, why didn’t he come forward when it happened.”

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Further, he went on to add, “He may be lying, if he came out at the beginning and said, yes, by mistake, it’s my fault, it was a job, but now you say after a year that you are guilty, how does this come about, it’s been a year, I don’t understand.” (Translated using Google Translate)

Simona Halep Breaks Silence on Retirement Rumors With a Cryptic Statement – ‘Cannot Know What Will Happen’

Not only Nastase, but the entire tennis world has criticized Mouratoglou for his involvement in Simona Halep’s doping case. Even Halep felt betrayed and made a saddening revelation about her former coach.

What did Halep say about Mouratoglou?

The doping ban left the former World Number 1 shattered. It put her career in jeopardy as she is already 32 and nearing her retirement with each passing year. As a result, she felt her trust was broken by Mouratoglou.

Opening up about him, Halep said, “It’s true that he went out. I wish he could have done that a little bit earlier. I have stopped working with the academy since a while already. So I always trusted this and my trust is broken a little bit right now. And in the future, I don’t know how it’s going to be if I can trust again..”

Halep’s hearing in the CAS concluded last week. However, the result is yet to be revealed. The Romanian star’s fate will be decided soon and it could go either way.

WATCH THIS STORY: ‘Never Came Out Of My Mouth’ – Serena Williams’ Ex-coach Clears The Air On Controversial Novak Djokovic Verdict As Profound Roger Federer Bias Backfires