Darren Cahill has admitted that he always believed that Simona Halep didn’t intentionally take a banned substance. Cahill, who helped Simona to her first Grand Slam glory, revealed that the former World No.1 went through 18 months of torture.
Halep was handed a four-year ban from tennis after testing positive for roxadustat at the 2022 US Open by the anti-doping regulator ITIA. The Romanian maintained her innocence, claiming she never knowingly took the substance. However, after appealing to the case in the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) her suspension was reduced to nine months.
The 2018 French Open champion is now eligible to play in any tournament after 18 months. Cahill, who helped Halep clinch her first major title in 2019 Wimbledon, revealed that Simona Halep went through a torture in those 18 months and he is happy to see her return to the WTA.
Its been 18 month of torture for her. I have always believed in her, always known that she would never deliberately or knowingly take anything that was wrong or banned, and that came true, when they went to CAS in Lausanne. Cahill said via Sky Sports
Simona Halep will play in the Miami Open, which starts on the March 17 through 31. It will be her first tournament after a year and a half away from the sport.
Simona Halep already in Miami for the Masters event
Simona Halep has landed in Miami for the ATP-WTA Masters 1000 event in Florida. The Romanian, who reached the semifinals of the 2019 edition, was seen training on the outdoor court in the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Halep returned to the US, where she last engaged in a major tournament in New York. This is a big lift for the tennis star who was banned from the game, but after a reduced ban of nine months was offered a wildcard by the Miami Open.
In a recent video on social media, Halep was seen in a practice session with a former ATP legend turned coach, Joao Monteiro. However, fans would be expecting much from the 32-year-old when she hits the court next week but will be hoping for surprises. But that may be short-lived when facing top players such as Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Maria Sakkari, and others.
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