Tennis news: Simona Halep faces provisional ban for using banned substances at US Open; Romanian ready to fight for the truth

It identifies as blood-booster roxadustat, as confirmed by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) on Friday. It is an anti-anemia drug that stimulates the production of red blood cells. 

Her A and B samples implicated the presence of the drug based on a test taken during the US Open. Having detected the findings on sample A, the 2019 Wimbledon champion requested an examination of her B sample, which confirmed the findings. 

The world's number nine said that the ban is the "biggest shock of her life" and refuted all claims. "Throughout my whole career, the idea of cheating never even crossed my mind once, as it is totally against all the values I have been educated with," she explained. 

"Facing such an unfair situation, I feel completely confused and betrayed," she continued. Now, Halep is exempted from competing in or attending any tournaments organised by the governing bodies of tennis. 

Halep's season underwent a premature ending due to nose surgery last month. 

Simona Halep wants to fight for the truth

The 2018 Roland Garros winner stressed that more than titles or money her honour is important to her. "It's not about the titles or the money. It's about honour, and the love story I have developed with the game of tennis over the last 25 years," remarked Halep. 

She has consequently declared that she will "fight for the truth" now that there is tangible proof against her. "Today begins the hardest match of my life: a fight for the truth," she shared on Twitter. "I have been notified that I have tested positive for a substance called Roxadustat in an extremely low quantity." 

After Maria Sharapova, Simona Halep is the highest-ranked player involved in a drug scandal

Russian icon Maria Sharapova remains the last high-profile tennis player caught in a doping controversy after the US Open winner tested positive for meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open. 

She was initially exiled from the world of tennis for two years before the sentence was reduced to 15 months. The Russian had explained that she had been consuming it for ten years owing to a magnesium deficiency, heart irregularities, and long-term diabetes issues running in the family.

"I take full responsibility for it. I made a huge mistake. I let my fans down, I let the sport down. I know with this I face consequences and I don't want to end my career this way, and I really hope I will be given another chance," she said. 

Despite being a strong player, Simona Halep's journey has been punctuated with setbacks

Halep had announced that she would take a break for the remainder of the season in September after undergoing a nose operation to improve her breathing. 

She had additionally planned to retire early this year after a series of injuries but then changed her mind after meeting coach Patrick Mouratoglou in April. 

The suspension stands until there is further update on the matter. Her absence will initiate a massive rankings slide that might result in Halep possibly losing a seeded spot.