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Caroline Wozniacki has urged other players not to cast a shadow over Simona Halep, at least until a final verdict is reached in the Romanian’s doping case. Last week, an independent tribunal found Halep guilty of two anti-doping violations and banned her for four years.
Hours after the news broke, Serena Williams wrote on X: “Eight is a better number.” In 2019, Halep defeated Williams 6-2 6-2 in the Wimbledon final, and the American tennis icon ended her career with seven Wimbledon titles. Many have no doubt that Williams’ post on X was a clear attack on Halep and news of the Romanian’s doping ban.
According to Jon Wertheim of Sports Illustrated, some players have said privately that they wonder if Halep has indeed cheated over the years. Halep, meanwhile, maintains her innocence and plans to take the case to the Court of Arbitration (CAS).
Wozniacki urges players not to name Halep, at least not yet
“Competitors’ views influence public opinion. There should be more respect, at least until the final verdict. And everyone should treat the case ‘accurately’ as if it were the final verdict without any assumptions.”
If it’s contamination, it’s just contamination, not a whole cheating career! How can (accused athletes) return to the sport if everyone views them as cheaters? Careers and lives are ruined because of pollution! !
…Everyone could be in the same situation! “It’s not fair at all for athletes to take all the punishment without a team. They hire employees to do this work for them; they’re not experts in nutrition or chemistry.
The staff deserves most of the punishment…that’s their responsibility,” Wozniacki told Sports Illustrated.
Meanwhile, this week, Halep responded to the shade thrown at Williams.
“I think everyone has the right to judge me because the court found me at fault. I was told today that those players hate me because I beat them,” Halep told Front Desk Sports.