SIMONA HALEP has received an additional anti-doping charge from drugs busters.
The 2019 Wimbledon champion has been provisionally suspended from professional tennis since October 2022 following a positive drugs test.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) discovered banned substance Roxadustat in a doping sample she provided at last year’s US Open.
The ITIA last night confirmed the Romanian had been charged with a further and separate breach of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme.
This is in relation to irregularities in her Athlete Biological Passport, which is used to monitor blood parameters over time.
Nicole Sapstead, Senior Director for Anti-Doping at the ITIA, said: “We understand that this announcement adds complexity to an already high-profile situation.
“From the outset of this process – and indeed any other at the ITIA – we have remained committed to engaging with Halep in an empathetic, efficient, and timely manner.
“It would be inappropriate for us to comment on specifics until the conclusion of the process.
“But we will continue to engage with the Sport Resolutions independent tribunal and. Halep’s representatives as expeditiously as possible.”
Halep professed her innocence last month, saying that “knowingly, I have not taken any banned substance”.
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The 31-year-old is a two-time Grand Slam champion and former world No1.
She won her maiden major at Roland Garros in 2018, triumphing over Sloane Stephens in a dramatic final.
Halep then won Wimbledon the following year, demolishing Serena Williams 6-2, 6-2 in SW19.
