shot-button
E-paper E-paper
Home > Sports News > Other Sports News > Article > No chance Halep took drugs on purpose Darren Cahill

No chance Halep took drugs on purpose: Darren Cahill

Updated on: 25 October,2022 09:59 AM IST  |  Sydney
AFP |

Halep insisted she would “fight until the end” to prove her innocence with the result “the biggest shock of my life.”

No chance Halep took drugs on purpose: Darren Cahill

Darren Cahill

Darren Cahill a renowned coach who helped Simona Halep to Grand Slam glory, said Monday there was “no chance, none, zero,” that the former world number one purposely took drugs. The Romanian was provisionally suspended at the weekend for taking the banned substance roxadustat after she provided a sample at the US Open. Halep insisted she would “fight until the end” to prove her innocence with the result “the biggest shock of my life.”


Also Read: Max Verstappen: We did it in style



The 2018 French Open and 2019 Wimbledon champion is the highest-profile player to fail a drugs test since Maria Sharapova in 2016. Australian Cahill, who guided Halep to World No.1 in 2017 and her Roland Garros crown in a six-year alliance, leapt to her defence in a lengthy Instagram post. “Firstly, and most importantly, there is NO chance Simona knowingly or purposely took any substance on the banned list. None. Zero,” he wrote. “She is an athlete that stressed about anything prescribed to her by a medical professional (which was rarely), or about any supplement that she used or considered. 

“Simona wore out the words ‘please double check this, triple check this to make sure it’s legal, safe and permitted. If you are not sure, I’m not taking it.’ ” He said they both strongly believed in the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) testing programme and would often discuss the number of times she was tested. “She did it without complaint, with the reassurance of knowing other athletes were being tested just as frequently. Competing against clean athletes was important to her. It’s important to everyone and while the system is not perfect, it works.” He added that her integrity was “faultless”, ending: “I stand with Simo.”

Also Read: Stockholm Open: Tsitsipas surges into final with win over Ruusuvuori

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

Register for FREE
to continue reading !

This is not a paywall.
However, your registration helps us understand your preferences better and enables us to provide insightful and credible journalism for all our readers.

Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK