ITIA Addresses Simona Halep's Appearance On US Open Entry List
WTA
Much has been said about Simona Halep appearing on the US Open Entry List and the ITIA now adressed it with a statement.
Simona Halep has been out of tennis and competing on the WTA Tour since last year's US Open due to a doping ban after she tested positive for a banned substance twice. The Romanian appealed that providing evidence of accidental contamination however the hearing was pushed back multiple times leaving both her and her fans extremely frustrated.
After she was charged with a second doping violation due to biological passport irregularities fans became worried about this ever concluding positively for Halep. Well, the hearing is taking place as of recently and when Halep's name appeared on the US Open entry list, fans got very excited.
Her name does have an asterisk that acknowledges her as a suspended player, but it's the first event in almost a year that features her name, so fans are hopeful for a positive resolution. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has now released a statement as per Antena 3 CNN regarding that assuring everybody that no decision has been made yet.
Good morning. I promise you that no decision has been made available to anyone yet. In the US Open player field, it is clearly marked as provisionally suspended, and therefore, if she remains suspended, she will be withdrawn. If not, she can compete.- ITIA statement
In the meantime, Halep posted photos of her herself with a racquet and that only fuelled further speculation though officially she's still suspended without a clear resolution in sight. It's likely coming by the end of this year but for Halep every day is costly.
She's not the youngest anymore and the game doesn't wait for you. Finding her footing on the Tour again will take even more time but her legacy is at stake. It's not just about playing or not playing.
