Simona Halep has been in a tumultuous time. Last year, she was handed a provisional ban on her playing career under suspicions of doping. Now, the ITIA has concluded its investigation, and Halep has been found guilty of using performance-enhancing drugs. She received a ban for four years, a enormous dent in her career. Her current coach and Serena Williams’?former coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, took to social media to comment on the ban.

As the news of her ban spread on the internet, people were divided over the sentence but not WTA tennis legend Serena Williams. The younger Williams sister posted a comment on her X page that referred to a past incident, which seems to have left her miffed at Halep ever since. With her former coach supporting Halep, the disdain has only grown further.

Patrick Mouratoglou on the ban of Simona Halep

After a year of uncertainty, Halep’s hearing has finally concluded. Traces of Roxadustat were found in Halep’s blood last year, which got her a provisional ban. She contested the test results, and the final hearing was concluded recently. The ITIA stands firm in its stance and has handed the former World No. 1 a ban for four years. As the two-time shocking reality for a two-time Grand Slam champion settles in, her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, released his statement on his ‘X’ page.

Mouratoglou wrote, “I know Simona’s integrity, and I have no doubt that she has never taken any banned substance. I sat through the entire two days of hearing with her, and I cannot believe that the tribunal has reached that decision based on the evidence and arguments I heard.” He further said, “The process and the ITIA have been totally unfair to Simona, and it is totally unacceptable. I hope that Simona will prevail at CAS, which is the only tribunal not controlled by the ITIA.”

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The French coach has voiced out his dislike for the decision. But his former trainee shared a cryptic message after the news was announced.

Serena Williams hits outs after doping ban

In 2019, Williams played her last final in the Wimbledon against Halep. She could not play up to par and lost in straight sets. Fans did not believe there was any animosity in Williams’ mind, but four years later, a message on her?X page is making them rethink. She wrote, “8 would have been a better number“, with no context. But fans believe that she is referring to her chance of winning her eighth Wimbledon against Halep, increasing her slam tally.?

Some believe that Williams is implying Halep was doping back then as well, and some believe she wants Halep’s win to be disqualified. Fans chastised her for her statement in the comment section and expressed their disappointment at the Queen of the Court. What do you think of her comment??

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