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Romanian tennis player Sorana Cirstea has defended countrywoman Simona Halep after Serena Williams appeared to criticize the former World No. 1 following her doping ban. Halep has been handed a four-year ban by the International Tennis Integrity Agency, and Williams posted on X\/Twitter shortly after the decision was made.<\/p>\n
Williams posted “8 is a better number” online, with fans doing their best to work out what the hidden message was about.<\/p>\n
It’s been speculated that it’s linked to the 2019 Wimbledon final when Halep caused an upset by beating Williams. Halep denied Williams her eighth Wimbledon title as she made only three unforced errors during the entire match, but the retired tennis legend clearly feels her defeat may have been linked to the doping saga.<\/p>\n
Williams had only lost one of her past nine meetings with the Romanian before the 2019 final. It was also Halep’s first win over Williams in a Grand Slam, but the retired American has now had the last laugh.<\/p>\n
Don’t miss… <\/strong> Williams retired from tennis shortly after the 2022 US Open, finishing her career with 23 Grand Slam singles titles and a historic legacy. But even after retiring, Williams remains competitive and has been called out by Halep’s friend and fellow professional Cirstea.<\/p>\n “Serena as a player was extraordinarily good. As a person, she always had this arrogance,” Cirstea said via Sport Romania. “She didn’t accept when someone could beat her or take a title from her.”<\/p>\n Halep was suspended\u00a0following a positive test, and a tribunal was delayed from February until September. Halep’s team identified the banned drug that was in her system – one that increases endurance – and presented evidence at a hearing to try and clear her name.<\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n But Halep was banned for four years,\u00a0although she continues to maintain her innocence. “I was confident after the hearing because there were so many things that made no sense and that are not fair,” Halep said.<\/p>\n “When I received the decision, I was in complete shock. I could not believe that they suspended me for four years when we found the contamination and my blood was totally normal. They didn\u2019t find anything bad in my blood.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s crazy that they made this decision with everything [her legal team presented]. They judged me on scenarios. There is no proof. It\u2019s just insane.” Halep’s suspension expires in 2026, but she will be 35 by the time she’s able to compete again.<\/p>\n
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