Simona Halep Told 'Don't Be Angry At Iga, Be Angry At System' After Harsh Comments

Tuesday, 24 December 2024 at 23:10

byErik Virostko

Simona Halep has been one of the most outspoken players when it comes to doping suspensions of other players, but she should not be angry at her colleagues, according to Rennae Stubbs.

After Halep fought her legal battle for over a year, which eventually ended in her having her four-year ban imposed by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) reduced to nine months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the Romanian player was hit by devastating news.

Of course, the former WTA World No. 1 player doesn't want any of her colleagues to test positive for a banned substance and have to go through the extremely exhausting process as she did.

However, once they already tested positive, and she feels like she was treated differently, the Romanian player feels hurt. That happened twice this year.

First, Jannik Sinner tested positive for a banned substance, and a few months after that, also Iga Swiatek's positive test was made public.

Halep felt prompted to release a public statement after Swiatek's positive test. She was angry that the Polish player received only a one-month suspension while she had to spend more than a year away from the sport.

On top of that, Halep then refused to say Swiatek's name in an interview, suggesting that she might have been angry at her colleague, even though Swiatek was, obviously, not directly involved in the decision-making process about the length of the suspension.

Of course, former WTA doubles World No. 1, Rennae Stubbs, noticed Halep's comments and she discussed them during the most recent episode of her Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast.

The 53-year-old Australian, who also coached Serena Williams in her coaching career, admitted that she was surprised by Halep's comments and told the Romanian player not to be angry at Swiatek but instead blame the system.

"I am a bit surprised by Halep going hard though, publicly. I don't think that's a good look for her. I think she's just, she's angry obviously, but don't be angry at Iga, be angry at the system."

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Stubbs defended Swiatek, who, after she tested positive, played within the rulebook and, obviously, tried to get the lowest possible punishment.

"Like she's, you know, there's a lot of players that are being angry at the player, be angry at the system. It's not, it wasn't their fault. They play within the rules. If they didn't, they wouldn't be playing right now."

Although it might have seemed that Halep was angry at Swiatek, their most recent encounter suggested something else. The two met at the 2024 World Tennis League in Abu Dhabi, even standing on the opposing sides of the tennis court.

Halep teamed up with Jasmine Paolini in a doubles match, taking on Swiatek and Paula Badosa. Halep and Paolini won the match 7-5, and after it, the Romanian player respectfully shook Swiatek's hand.

In the upcoming months, Halep will certainly be asked about her comments at least once, and she will get a chance to clarify herself in case she was misunderstood.