Caroline Wozniacki has urged fellow players not to throw shade on Simona Halep until at least the final verdict is reached in the Romanian’s doping case. Last week, Halep received a four-year ban by the independent tribunal after they found her guilty of committing two anti-doping violations. Hours after the announcement, Serena Williams wrote on X: “8 is a better number.” In 2019, Halep beat Williams 6-2 6-2 in the Wimbledon final and the American tennis icon finished her career with seven Wimbledon titles. Many had no doubt that Williams’ post on X was a clear shot at Halep and the news of the Romanian’s doping ban. According to Jon Wertheim on Sports Illustrated, some players have privately expressed that they are wondering if Halep was indeed cheating over the years. Meanwhile, Halep has maintained her innocence and she is planning to take her case to the Court of Arbitration (CAS).
Wozniacki urges players not to call out Halep, at least not for now
“Rivals’ opinions affect the public opinion. There should be more respect, at least till the final verdict. And everybody should treat the case ‘exactly’ as the final verdict released without assumption. If it’s contamination, then it’s just a contamination, not a whole career of cheating! How can [accused athletes] return to the sport if everyone is treating them as a cheater? Destroying career and life because of a contamination!! … everyone could be in the same situation! ’Its not fair, at all, that athletes receive all the punishment without the team. They hire staff to do the work for them; they’re not nutrition or chemical experts. The staff should receive the big part of the punishment … it’s their responsibility,” Wozniacki told Sports Illustrated.
Caroline Wozniacki and Simona Halep© Getty Images Sport – Clive Brunskill
Meanwhile this week, Halep responded to Williams’ shade. “I think everyone has the right to judge me because the tribunal decided that I have the fault here. Someone told me today that those players who are hating on me because I beat them,” Halep told Front Office Sports.