Both Serena Williams and long-forgotten Jelena Jankovic were quick to put the boot in on Simona Halep after the two-time Grand Slam winner was banned for four years in a controversial anti-doping ruling.
Williams, who dropped out of tennis a year ago and recently gave birth, dropped a snarky comment on social media when the news came through.
The 41-year-old was humiliated 6-2, 6-2 in the 2019 Wimbledon final won by the Romanian, a loss which denied Williams an eighth title at the grass-court major.
The only comment from Williams: “8 is a better number,” Williams tweeted in reference to her “missing” major.
Former player Jankovic, who dropped from sight after the 2017 US Open without so much as a farewell, gloated in the fate of Halep, who beat her in the 2015 Indian Wells final.
The sour Serb insisted that she “knew” all along something was not right with her winning opponent.
“People refused to admit it but I always knew I was the rightful winner of Indian Wells 2015. Simona’s ban today proves it. Shoutout to my fans for keeping #JankovicWonIW15 relevant.”
The ITPA player union fronted by Novak Djokovic came out in support of Halep while the WTA kicked the former No. 1 to the curb:
“The WTA will support the decisions reached through the process and will continue to follow this closely,” a bland non-statement from the corporate suite read.
“It is of the utmost importance for players to be aware of the Tennis Anti-Doping Program rules and to follow them.
“The Independent Tribunal has made its ruling surrounding Simona’s case and under the TADP, the decision may be appealed to the CAS.”
Main photo:-Wimbledon 2019 Simona Halep is congratulated by Serena Williams after being thrashed 6-2, 6-2 in Ladies Singles Final, denying her an 8th title by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd
