Halep Loses On Doping Ban Return As Wozniacki Criticises Wildcard

Caroline Wozniacki advocates against awarding wildcards to players returning from doping bans, following Simona Halep’s defeat in her comeback match at the Miami Open.

Halep, a two-time major champion, lost her first match since serving a nine-month doping ban, falling 1-6 6-4 6-3 to Paula Badosa. Wozniacki insists that such players should “work their way from the bottom” rather than receiving special treatment.

“I have always advocated for a clean sport, fair for everybody,” Wozniacki stated. “If someone has purposely cheated or tested positive for doping, they should not be granted wildcards afterward.”

Wozniacki clarified her stance, saying, “If it’s been a mistake and you want to come back, I understand, but you should earn your place from the ground up.”

Wildcards are typically given to players with low rankings who don’t qualify directly for tournaments.

Halep’s ban stemmed from a positive test for roxadustat, an anti-anaemia drug, in September 2022. While the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) partially upheld her appeal, it concluded that she had not intentionally taken roxadustat.

Responding to Wozniacki’s remarks, Halep maintained her innocence, stating, “I didn’t cheat or dope. CAS ruled it was a contaminated supplement, not doping.”

She added, “I never doped, so I’m not a cheater. I have the support of many, and I focus on that positivity.”

Halep’s defeat came despite a strong start against Badosa, a former world number two. With the French Open approaching, Halep aims to regain her form.

Halep, a French Open champion in 2018 and Wimbledon champion in 2019, is eager to accumulate court time ahead of the prestigious tournament.

In other Miami Open action, 43-year-old Venus Williams, a three-time winner, suffered a 6-3 6-3 loss to 19-year-old Russian Diana Shnaider.

Source: BBC Sports