Ex-coach Darren Cahill has come out strongly against the doping charges faced by former N0. 1 Simona Halep, whom he guided for six years on the WTA.
The Australian who now coaches Jannik Sinner told The Big deal podcast of his unshakeable belief that the Romanian Grand Slam winner was innocent.
Halep is awaiting a hearing this month as she works to prove her innocence after being suspended last autumn after testing positive for the for the anti-anemia medication Roxadustat,
The drug increases production of hemoglobin and red blood cells and is banned from use without a player exemption.
Halep’s positive test came after her 2022 US Open loss, with both her A and B samples yielding the same result.
Cahill is having none of it: “I understand that there will be a hearing in February that will give her the opportunity to present her case,” he said..
“I made a statement about her case and I’m willing to die alongside those words for her integrity and her Dna.
“There’s no way she’s cheating. She’s a great woman and a great person. There’s no way she could have done the wrong thing. I wish her luck.
“It’s true that all athletes are responsible for every substance that enters their body, and Simona will pay the penalty for it.
“Let’s hope it’s not big, but it’s not her fault. She didn’t do anything wrong. I hope a company made a mistake, or a doctor, or a person from the WTA, or a person from your team has not done their job.
“I hope someone takes responsibility for what happened because we know that Simona was not to blame.”
Main photo:- Simona Halep (ROU) losing semi-final match Wimbledon 2022 by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd
