Simona Halep suspended for positive doping test taken at US Open

[kskate2]

She must have been tested then, right?

Well it depends T. If you go by @Front242 previous statements (don't know if he's correct), they only test the player when they lose. Since she won that tournament, she wouldn't have been tested immediately following the match.

 

[kskate2]

Clearly we're all whirling about this. She only survived one round at the USO, and they did say that the bad test was at the USO. She would have played between 29-31 August, and it's hard to think that that's not the window when they would have tested her. Anything else doesn't make sense. As @MargaretMcAleer says, she tweeted some pictures of herself having had some kind of surgery on her nose on 15 Sept., stating breathing problems at the USO. As Margaret also posted, just above, there is no reason for her to use this particular drug, other than performance-enhancing.

I saw no mention of how much of this drug was in her system. However, unless something else she was taking for her nasal surgery, etc. presented itself chemically as this drug, it would seem like she took it. And if she did, it's hard not to think she did it knowingly. It will be interesting to see how her doctors and lawyers mount their defense.

OK so if she was tested between Aug 29-31 when the first round was played then whatever she may have been given from a nose surgery on Sep 15 is after the test was administered and in theory can't be the source of the positive test. For it to be in her system pre first round match, she must have ingested it on or before Aug 29. So we don't know how long it was in her system and as @tossip says her Toronto win should be looked at but I don't know how they can penalize those results if she wasn't tested at Wimby or Canada.

 

[Moxie]

Well it depends T. If you go by @Front242 previous statements (don't know if he's correct), they only test the player when they lose. Since she won that tournament, she wouldn't have been tested immediately following the match.

That cannot be right, though T is the best one with the rules. Firstly, it doesn't make sense to only test the losers, right? Secondly, I remember Nadal mentioning in passing over the years all the things you have to do after a match, particularly a big final win, and in the litany of them is doping control. However, this drug is new, if you look it up, the one she tested positive for. Only available in China maybe in 2020?, then only in Europe as of 2021. Doesn't mean she couldn't have been using something else, but that would make it during Cahill's tenure, and several of us have said we find that implausible, given his generally very ethical demeanor.

 

[Moxie]

OK so if she was tested between Aug 29-31 when the first round was played then whatever she may have been given from a nose surgery on Sep 15 is after the test was administered and in theory can't be the source of the posituve test. For it to be in her system pre first round match, she must have ingested it on or before Aug 29. So we don't know how long it was in her system and as @tossip says her Toronto win should be looked at but I don't know how they can penalize those results if she wasn't tested at Wimby or Canada.

I just meant that maybe she was put on a course of medications prior to surgery, which can happen. I don't understand why she wouldn't be tested at Wimbledon...I guess I thought they tested everyone at Majors. And if she won Toronto, she should have been tested. If the ITF/WTA/WADA want to look in any way seriously conscientious about this, they should expose when she was tested over the previous while. If she won Toronto cleanly, (which is a question mark,) why would she have taken something to get her through the USO? And if she did, it obviously didn't help.

 

[kskate2]

That cannot be right, though T is the best one with the rules. Firstly, it doesn't make sense to only test the losers, right? Secondly, I remember Nadal mentioning in passing over the years all the things you have to do after a match, particularly a big final win, and in the litany of them is doping control. However, this drug is new, if you look it up, the one she tested positive for. Only available in China maybe in 2020?, then only in Europe as of 2021. Doesn't mean she couldn't have been using something else, but that would make it during Cahill's tenure, and several of us have said we find that implausible, given his generally very ethical demeanor.

So I'm unfamiliar with the testing rules. Taking a guess, I think they can call you to test anytime during a tournament and I thought they could come to your house as well if you are not playing.

 

[Moxie]

So I'm unfamiliar with the testing rules. Taking a guess, I think they can call you to test anytime during a tournament and I thought they could come to your house as well if you are not playing.

As an active player, you need to be on 24-hour call, or something, for an impromptu test, even at your home. (You remember the incident of Serena taking to her safe room.) And yes, they can call you anytime to test during a tournament, as I understand it. I remember Nadal, generally cautious about his private life, giving an inadvertent peek into the bedroom when he complained that the testers knocked on his hotel room door at 7am, when he was sleeping with his girlfriend, to administer a test, even though he was due on the tournament grounds at, say 1pm that same day to prep for a match. Point being, they get tested all the time, intra-tournament and extra-tournament. Or, by all accounts, including intrusion on privacy complaints. I would find it surprising, and fantastically negligent if Simona weren't tested at W and Toronto. But here's the thing: the powers that be in tennis lead us to believe that testing happens regularly. But does it? You pay a LOT of attention to tennis. (You administer a tennis web forum!) And you don't know exactly how it works. They could be more transparent.

 

[TheSicilian]

Novak Djokovic company backs Simona Halep after failed doping test

The Professional Tennis Players Association, has released a statement backing Simona Halep after she failed a doping test at this year’s US Open.

www.givemesport.com

Why does the freedom fighting attention seeker always get involved in every doping scandal Sharapova, Troicki now Halep... In hope they will all support him one day

 

[Moxie]

Novak Djokovic company backs Simona Halep after failed doping test

The Professional Tennis Players Association, has released a statement backing Simona Halep after she failed a doping test at this year’s US Open.

www.givemesport.com

Why does the freedom fighting attention seeker always get involved in every doping scandal Sharapova, Troicki now Halep... In hope they will all support him one day

Actually, this is interesting. He's speaking on behalf of that players union he and Pospisil formed a couple of years ago, which went pretty silent for a while, and didn't immediately look to include the women. Now they're taking a stand on her behalf. This could get intriguing. Maybe their union will turn into something.

 

[kskate2]

As an active player, you need to be on 24-hour call, or something, for an impromptu test, even at your home. (You remember the incident of Serena taking to her safe room.) And yes, they can call you anytime to test during a tournament, as I understand it. I remember Nadal, generally cautious about his private life, giving an inadvertent peek into the bedroom when he complained that the testers knocked on his hotel room door at 7am, when he was sleeping with his girlfriend, to administer a test, even though he was due on the tournament grounds at, say 1pm that same day to prep for a match. Point being, they get tested all the time, intra-tournament and extra-tournament. Or, by all accounts, including intrusion on privacy complaints. I would find it surprising, and fantastically negligent if Simona weren't tested at W and Toronto. But here's the thing: the powers that be in tennis lead us to believe that testing happens regularly. But does it? You pay a LOT of attention to tennis. (You administer a tennis web forum!) And you don't know exactly how it works. They could be more transparent.

FYI,
Today on the TC Desk Chris Eubanks was asked about testing during a tourney.. He stated once you step off the court that an official will walk with you to the testing area (never leaving your side) and hand you off to a representative. They collect 2 containers of urine and then you're free to go. They test both containers to verify the samples are the same.

 

[tented]

That cannot be right, though T is the best one with the rules. Firstly, it doesn't make sense to only test the losers, right? Secondly, I remember Nadal mentioning in passing over the years all the things you have to do after a match, particularly a big final win, and in the litany of them is doping control. However, this drug is new, if you look it up, the one she tested positive for. Only available in China maybe in 2020?, then only in Europe as of 2021. Doesn't mean she couldn't have been using something else, but that would make it during Cahill's tenure, and several of us have said we find that implausible, given his generally very ethical demeanor.

The WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) Rulebook is long and written in legalese, but here’s a single sentence in the ”Availability for testing” section which sums up the general idea: “Every Athlete must submit to Testing at any time and place upon request by an Anti-Doping Organization with authority to conduct Testing.”

 

[Nadalfan2013]

Surprising but I guess I will wait for the trial/hearing before judgement just in case there's some evidence or explanation that could make her innocent.

 

[Kieran]

Well it depends T. If you go by @Front242 previous statements (don't know if he's correct), they only test the player when they lose. Since she won that tournament, she wouldn't have been tested immediately following the match.

I doubt they only test the losers, and let the same old faces return to the podium with big cheesy grins, and track marks the length of their arms. I think they test everyone, but most especially the winners. Brother @Front242 often held strange views about doping, generally informed by his own player preferences as much as anything else...

 

[Kieran]

Novak Djokovic company backs Simona Halep after failed doping test

The Professional Tennis Players Association, has released a statement backing Simona Halep after she failed a doping test at this year’s US Open.

www.givemesport.com

Why does the freedom fighting attention seeker always get involved in every doping scandal Sharapova, Troicki now Halep... In hope they will all support him one day

It's kind of a generic non-support support, isn't it? What are they going to do for her? Well, they're "committed to ensure that Simona Halep, like all other tennis players, has a fair trial during the entire process. We will fight for her rights and try to insist on transparency for all other tennis players."

Of course, though how they'll do that, we haven't got a clue. But is there an insinuation that there isn't "transparency for all other tennis players?" What does that even mean, "transparency for all tennis players?" If they were all transparent we wouldn't be able to see them...

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

It's kind of a generic non-support support, isn't it? What are they going to do for her? Well, they're "committed to ensure that Simona Halep, like all other tennis players, has a fair trial during the entire process. We will fight for her rights and try to insist on transparency for all other tennis players."

Of course, though how they'll do that, we haven't got a clue. But is there an insinuation that there isn't "transparency for all other tennis players?" What does that even mean, "transparency for all tennis players?" If they were all transparent we wouldn't be able to see them...

I didnt know Novak's Players Association was still in existence lol! it seems "The Freedom Fighter is at it again

 

[TheSicilian]

It's kind of a generic non-support support, isn't it? What are they going to do for her? Well, they're "committed to ensure that Simona Halep, like all other tennis players, has a fair trial during the entire process. We will fight for her rights and try to insist on transparency for all other tennis players."

Of course, though how they'll do that, we haven't got a clue. But is there an insinuation that there isn't "transparency for all other tennis players?" What does that even mean, "transparency for all tennis players?" If they were all transparent we wouldn't be able to see them...

It's a bit strange, but say she is doping why would anyone want to fight for her rights At this point they are potentially turning a drug cheat into a victim that needs support

I also find it strange why other players need to get involved at this stage. But as with everything these days some people have already made their mind up that despite a failed drug test Halep is not doping... I prefer to wait for the full facts before choosing what to believe with this doping scandal.
What will be interesting is if any top players have an unexpected dip in form with doping hitting the headlines

 

[Kieran]

It's a bit strange, but say she is doping why would anyone want to fight for her rights At this point they are potentially turning a drug cheat into a victim that needs support

I also find it strange why other players need to get involved at this stage. But as with everything these days some people have already made their mind up that despite a failed drug test Halep is not doping... I prefer to wait for the full facts before choosing what to believe with this doping scandal.
What will be interesting is if any top players have an unexpected dip in form with doping hitting the headlines

Exactly. If she did it, and she might have, she’s wealthy enough to buy a good slick lawyer who’ll defend her. I don’t know why Novak & co think that she might not get a fair trial, or be denied any rights.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

There is soo much conjecture with Halep's 'doping case' I am always of the opinion, innocent until proven guilty
In saying that it is up to the player to check what is on the 'banned list' before they take any medicine, if they are unsure contact the WTA or ATP, or the revelant authorities before taking any medicine.

 

[kskate2]

Exactly. If she did it, and she might have, she’s wealthy enough to buy a good slick lawyer who’ll defend her. I don’t know why Novak & co think that she might not get a fair trial, or be denied any rights.

Maybe his player's association is guaranteeing she doesn't get railroaded to the guillotine by providing funding for any accused player to have a Legal Eagle like he had in Aus.

 

[Front242]

Actually, this is interesting. He's speaking on behalf of that players union he and Pospisil formed a couple of years ago, which went pretty silent for a while, and didn't immediately look to include the women. Now they're taking a stand on her behalf. This could get intriguing. Maybe their union will turn into something.

A toast to her innocence from his dubious water bottle!

 

[britbox]

There is soo much conjecture with Halep's 'doping case' I am always of the opinion, innocent until proven guilty
In saying that it is up to the player to check what is on the 'banned list' before they take any medicine, if they are unsure contact the WTA or ATP, or the revelant authorities before taking any medicine.

My thinking would be that you're innocent until proven guilty up until the point that you fail the test. Then you're guilty until proven innocent.