Former World Number 1, Simona Halep, received a major blow earlier this year. Hoping to make a comeback at the US Open after doping suspension, the Romanian star was banned for four years after the verdict came. While she has been pleading her innocence throughout, nothing has been going by her side. However, she received the support of American tennis legend, Chris Evert.

While Halep challenged her ban in the Court of Arbitration for Sport, a hearing on this matter is scheduled for February. While supporting Halep, Evert slammed her coaching team, which included Serena Williams’ former coach, Patrick Mouratoglou.

Chris Evert comes to the defense of Simona Halep

The American tennis legend took to Twitter to express her opinions about Halep’s doping ban. She said, “Simona Halep appeal set for February. I, for one, believe she’s innocent.”

Further, she went on to add, “Yes, she had roxadustat in her system, but she handed her whole life over to her coach and his team, who controlled her career, nutrition, management. I think she’s innocent. Period..”

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Halep has always maintained her innocence and felt that she was betrayed by her coaching team on the doping ban. Halep knew little about it and depended on her team, who managed her diet and nutrition. As a result, the doping violation came as a shock to her.

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Recently, Halep also spoke out about Mouratoglou and how the two have stopped talking after the ban. Although there is a chance that Halep’s ban might be lifted, it is unlikely that the two will work again in the future.

Halep makes a saddening revelation

After her appeal date was released, the former World Number 1 appeared for an interview. During the interview, she talked about how the doping violation came as a surprise and her relationship with Mouratoglou after the ban.

Halep revealed, “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 will be eagerly waiting for February to know about her fate. Will her ban be lifted? Let us know your views in the comments below.

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