The Patrick Mouratoglou Academy has been home to some of the biggest names on the women’s tour. The French coach’s clientele also included Simona Halep, whose competitive journey has been ‘destroyed’ due to her doping saga. And according to the Romanian tennis player’s previous disclosures, it was Mouratoglou who introduced her to the banned substance that led to her lengthy suspension.

Now, after the 2-time singles Grand Slam champion, another WTA player and Halep’s compatriot, Sara Maria Popa, has come forward to make some explosive revelations about the Mouratoglou Academy. Having been a part of the tennis academy, the 18-year-old Romanian claimed that many athletes are given some “substances” at a very young age.

“From a young age, athletes are given some substances”- Simona Halep’s compatriot on the Patrick Mouratoglou Academy

In an interview with AS.ro LIVE, the Romanian WTA player spoke candidly about how many athletes, from the age of 12, at the Mouratoglou Academy have to resort to some substances. Sara Maria Popa said, “I went when I was 12 years old. I played at the Mouratoglou Academy. It is true, from a young age, athletes are given some substances. In juniors, you are not controlled by Anti-doping. They let you grow up a little more, to turn 17, and from then on the checks start more intensively.”

The 18-year-old player, who arrived at Mouratoglou’s Academy at the age of 12, also claimed that both parents and juniors must sign to give their consent for those substances. She added, “Players and parents must agree. They are given a sheet and must sign to agree to take that substance. The first time I was scared, I really didn’t know what was happening (no – anti-doping controls).”

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During the candid conversation, Maria Popa also shed light on the case of Simona Halep as she talked about how both her compatriot and the French coach should have been careful in that situation. She said, “There were mistakes on both sides. Maybe she should have been careful too, maybe the people from Mouratoglou should have been careful too, to tell her exactly when to give her that substance, perhaps.”

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What do you think of the Romanian WTA player’s explosive revelations about the Mouratoglou Academy? Let us know in the comments section. 

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