By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, March 19, 202
Caroline Wozniacki and Simona Halep share the uncommon expertise of reaching world No. 1.
The pair half dramatically on their wild card views.
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Within the aftermath of her 6-4, 6-1 win over Clara Burel in Miami at present, Wozniacki was requested her response to Halep’s Miami Open comeback from a doping suspension.
Halep efficiently appealed her four-year doping ban to the Courtroom of Arbitration for Sport, successful a diminished sentence of 4 months that enabled her to return to tennis in Miami.
Wozniacki says she opposes awarding wild playing cards to gamers who’ve served doping suspensions and believes Halep ought to “work your manner up from the underside.”
“Nicely, to begin with, I’ve at all times favored Simona. We have at all times had a great relationship,” Wozniacki instructed the media in Miami. “I believe my view on doping is identical. I’ve at all times needed a clear sport, honest for everyone. I believe it is undoubtedly nonetheless my opinion.
“Once more, this isn’t straight at Simona, but when somebody purposely cheats, if somebody has examined optimistic for doping… I perceive why a match needs an enormous star within the match, however it’s my private perception, and it is not a knock on anybody, however it’s my private perception that I do not suppose folks ought to be awarded wild playing cards afterwards.”
The 32-year-old Halep adopted Wozniacki on Grandstand Courtroom and gained the primary set earlier than bowing to former No. 2 Paula Badosa 1-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Knowledgeable of Wozniacki’s feedback, Halep replied: “I am not a cheater” including “just one individual being damaging about me just isn’t that necessary.”
“However why? I did not do something flawed,” Halep mentioned when instructed of Wozniacki’s feedback. “I did not cheat. I did not dope. So it is higher if we learn the choice from CAS that it was a contaminated complement, it wasn’t doping.
“I by no means had one thing to do with doping. I by no means doped, so I am not a cheater. Thanks to the match for giving me the wild card and have the chance to play in such an enormous match. It was nice to be again. Just one individual being damaging about me just isn’t that necessary as a result of I’ve a whole bunch of those who giving me love, so I’ll take that.”
The 2-time Grand Slam champion Halep examined optimistic for the banned drug Roxadustat on the 2022 US Open. Roxadustat is legitimately used for the therapy of anaemia however is on the WADA Prohibited Substance record as a blood doping agent, which will increase hemoglobin and the manufacturing of pink blood cells. It has been utilized by center distance and long-distance runners prior to now.
Final month, Halep gained her doping attraction because the Courtroom of Arbitration for Sport diminished her suspension from 4 years to 9 months clearing the trail for her return to the professional circuit this week in Miami.
Halep asserts she has by no means knowingly doped and attributes her optimistic check to a contaminated complement. Halep says three “world-renowned specialists” have concluded her optimistic check for Roxadustat was a results of a contaminated complement. Final month, Halep filed a lawsuit looking for $10 million in damages from the Canadian firm she claims produced the contaminated complement that triggered her to fail the drug check and derailed her profession.
Nonetheless, the Quantum Diet founder instructed Canadian publication The Globe and Mail final October that the complement was not the reason for the Romanian’s optimistic check. He says Halep is making an attempt to scapegoat his firm as “the autumn man” for her doping suspension.
Former Australian Open champion Wozniacki, who spoke out in opposition to tournaments awarding wild playing cards to Maria Sharapova when she returned from her doping suspension for the banned substance meldonium, mentioned her place just isn’t private.
Wozniacki says “all I need is a good battle.”
“If you wish to come again, and it has been a mistake, I perceive, you need to work your manner up from the underside. That is my private opinion upon issues,” Wozniacki mentioned. “Simona’s scenario has clearly dragged on for a very long time. She acquired her suspension diminished. It wasn’t a clearance, it was a diminished sentence. She’s now been off of the sport for some time and she or he’s coming again.
“Once more, I simply hope for a clear sport. That is all I need. I wish to have good position fashions for the younger era. It is a sport that has some huge cash in it, numerous competitiveness, numerous opponents. I need a honest battle. I’ve at all times been a really sincere athlete and at all times checked out every little thing that I’ve taken.”
Reflecting on her lowest level of her suspension, Halep mentioned she at all times believed the reality would prevail and she or he would play once more.
“My mother and father at all times taught [me] that good at all times prevails,” Halep mentioned. “I belief it 100% from the primary day till the final day that the reality will come out and the choice shall be taken in a good manner.
“I knew I am clear. I knew I did not do something flawed. I believed that it is unattainable to remain 4 years for one thing that does not exist.”
Photograph credit score: Matthew Calvis
