Simona Halep, the two-time Grand Slam champion, has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the handling of doping cases in tennis, following Iga Swiatek’s recent one-month suspension. The controversy centers around the differing treatment of doping violations by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), which Halep believes unfairly targets her while offering more lenient treatment to others.
On Thursday, the ITIA announced that Swiatek, the world number two, had tested positive for trimetazidine (TMZ), a banned heart medication, after providing an out-of-competition sample in August 2024. Despite the violation, the ITIA accepted that Swiatek’s contamination was unintentional, resulting from a regulated melatonin supplement, which she had been using to alleviate jet lag and sleep problems. As a result, the five-time major winner received a one-month ban.
Halep, whose career has been marred by doping controversies in recent years, took to social media to voice her concerns. She questioned why there is such a “big difference” in the way the ITIA handles doping cases, pointing out that the organization took a much harsher stance on her own violations.
“I stand and ask myself, why is there such a big difference in treatment and judgment?” Halep wrote on Instagram. “It can only be bad will from ITIA, the organization that has done absolutely everything to destroy me despite the evidence.”
Halep, who was provisionally suspended in October 2022 after testing positive for roxadustat, an anti-anaemia drug, argued that her case was unfairly handled. She was banned for four years but had her suspension reduced to nine months following an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Halep has consistently maintained her innocence, claiming that the contamination came from a supplement she took unknowingly.
In her Instagram post, Halep reflected on the personal toll the suspension took on her career, describing the emotional and mental strain of having her reputation questioned. “I lost two years of my career, I lost many nights when I couldn’t sleep, thoughts, anxiety, questions without answers,” she shared.
Swiatek’s case has raised questions within the tennis community, particularly due to the contrasting treatments of similar situations. While Swiatek’s contamination came from a regulated medication, Halep’s violation involved a supplement, which is generally viewed with greater suspicion in anti-doping protocols.
The ITIA has defended its actions, stating that “no two cases are the same” and that each case is handled based on its specific circumstances. A spokesperson for the organization told BBC Sport that the product involved in Swiatek’s case was a regulated medication, not a supplement, which they believe is an important distinction.
“We deal with each case based on the facts and evidence, not a player’s name, ranking or nationality,” the ITIA spokesperson said. “We urge players to exercise extreme caution when taking supplements, and we are always happy to answer any questions they have.”
Swiatek’s ban comes on the heels of another high-profile case in March, when men’s world number one Jannik Sinner tested positive for clostebol. The ITIA found no fault or negligence on his part, but the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has appealed the decision to CAS.
Halep’s outcry is a reminder of the growing frustrations among players, as the tennis world continues to grapple with the complexities of doping enforcement. As the ITIA navigates these cases, it remains to be seen whether further scrutiny will be applied to its handling of doping violations across the sport.
