MIAMI — Fans were happy to see Simona Halep play tennis again at the Miami Open on Tuesday, her first match since being banned for doping. However, former world number one Caroline Wozniacki was not as happy to see her.
A lot of people cheered and chanted “Si-Mon-ah.” Excited fans waving flags yelled “Si-Mon-Ah” as the amateur lost to Spain’s Paula Badosa 1-6 6-4 6-3. Badosa also praised the two-time Grand Slam winner after the match.
Wozniacki did not like Halep’s return as a wildcard, though.
Wozniacki said, “I’ve been very clear in the past about how I feel about doping and all that.” She also said, “I like Halep.” “A clean sport that is fair for everyone has always been my goal.” I think it’s still my opinion for sure.Speaking generally, and not just about Simona, I don’t think people should be given wildcards after cheating or testing positive for doping. “If you want to come back, and it’s been a mistake, I understand. You should work your way up from the bottom,” Simona said.
Read More: Emma Raducanu gets a good draw at the Miami Open, while Simona Halep gets a big one.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport cut Halep’s four-year ban to nine months, so she took a wildcard into the Miami Open.
Halep, who had won Wimbledon and the French Open before, was suspended in October 2022 after tested positive for roxadustat at the U.S. Open. Roxadustat is a banned drug that makes more red blood cells.
At first, Halep strongly denied the charges against her. On Tuesday, she was defending herself again against Wozniacki’s statements.
Read More: Coco Gauff warns foes after her win at Indian Wells and her mistake in an interview
Halep said, “I didn’t do anything wrong.” “I wasn’t dishonest. I didn’t smoke pot.It would be better if we read the CAS ruling, which says that it was a tainted supplement and not doping.
“I did not drink or dope at any time.” I’ve never cheated, so I’m not a cheater.I would like to thank the event for giving me the wildcard and the chance to play in such a big tournament. It felt good to be back.
“Only one person being negative about me is not that important because I have hundreds of people that giving me love, so I will take that.”
Steve Keating did the reporting in Miami, and Peter Rutherford edited it.
