Simona Halep, former Wimbledon champion and two-time Grand Slam title holder, has had her four-year doping ban cut to just nine months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The ruling, based on her appeal, found Halep not guilty of intentional doping, allowing the 32-year-old to immediately return to professional tennis.

The CAS panel unanimously decided to reduce the suspension, which was originally imposed last September after Halep tested positive for roxadustat. This marked a historic moment as the first anti-doping rule violation via the athlete biological passport (ABP) programme in tennis.

 Halep argued that the banned substance entered her system unintentionally through a contaminated supplement, Keto MCT. The CAS panel acknowledged her lack of care with the supplement but concluded that the violations were not intentional, absolving her of significant fault or negligence.

 In an Instagram statement, Halep expressed relief and resilience, emphasising the delayed but immensely gratifying triumph of truth. The CAS panel also dismissed the ABP charge related to blood parameter irregularities, citing a lack of comfort in establishing a doping violation.

Karen Moorhouse, CEO of the International Tennis Integrity Agency, respected Halep’s right to appeal and awaits the full reasoned decision for a thorough review.

Simona Halep’s successful appeal paves the way for her prompt return to the tennis court, underscoring the complexities of anti-doping cases in professional sports. The tennis community eagerly anticipates the resilient champion’s comeback.