The ITIA has charged former world No. 1 Halep with a second doping offence due to suspected inconsistencies in her ABP.

Simona Halep, a two-time grand slam champion and former world No. 1, has accused the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) of using unfair tactics in its investigation into the alleged anomalies in her Athlete Biological Passport (ABP).

The 31-year-old Romanian, winner of the French Open and Wimbledon singles titles, Simona Halep

The latest ITIA charge announced on Friday last is “separate and in addition to” the provisional suspension Halep received last year after failing a drug test during the US Open, the ITIA said.

Halep alleged on Monday that while the ITIA was stating on one hand that it wanted to engage her in a timely manner, on the other, it was asking the tribunal to delay the hearing.

“While the ITIA via their representative Nicole Sapstead was publicly stating 3 days ago that the ITIA has remained committed to engaging Mrs Halep in an empathetic, efficient and timely manner, they were at the same time officially requesting the Tribunal to delay my hearing… for the third time,” said Halep in a statement posted on social media late on Monday. Read Also: From Playground to Pro: The Journey of College Basketball Stars to the NBA

“The ITIA publicly states one thing while privately doing another, I have repeatedly asked for my hearing and the

The 24-time champion continued by saying that she has a right to a prompt hearing and that delaying one would go against the grain.

“When is it going to stop? I ask the question once again. I am entitled to a quick hearing. Acting this way is contrary to my rights,” added Halep, who defeated Serena Williams in straight sets in the 2019 Wimbledon final.

According to the ITIA, the new accusation was brought “based on an assessment” of the tennis player’s biological passport profile by a group of subject matter experts. The ABP is regarded as a tool for tracking doping because it offers a baseline reading of the chemicals present in a player’s body.

Sapstead, ITIA’s senior director for anti-doping, had said in a statement on Friday last that, “We understand that today’s (Friday) announcement adds complexity to an already high-profile situation. From the outset of this process — and indeed any other at the ITIA — we have remained committed to engaging with Ms. Halep in an empathetic, efficient, and timely manner.”

Halep had taken to social media following the accusation of a second doping offense, saying she has “lived the worst nightmare I have ever gone through in my life” since being initially charged by the ITIA.

Halep had added that her “name (had) been soiled in the worst possible way” and that the ITIA is determined “to prove my guilt while I haven’t EVER even thought of taking any illicit substance”.