Simona Halep, 2-time major champ, gets provisional drug ban

Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep has been provisionally suspended by the International Tennis Integrity Agency after failing a drug test during the U.S. Open in August

Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep was provisionally suspended by the International Tennis Integrity Agency after failing a drug test during the U.S. Open in August.

The ITIA announced the punishment Friday for Halep, a former No. 1 player who is currently No. 9 in the WTA rankings. She won Wimbledon in 2019, beating 23-time major champion Serena Williams in the final, and the French Open in 2018.

In a social media post, Halep called the news of her positive test “the biggest shock of my life," adding: “Facing such an unfair situation, I feel completely confused and betrayed.”

“I will fight until the end to prove that I never knowingly took any prohibited substance," Halep wrote, “and I have faith that sooner or later, the truth will come out.”

Halep, a 31-year-old from Romania, announced in September she was taking the rest of this season off after having nose surgery to improve her breathing. She considered retiring early this year after a series of injuries, but then said she felt rejuvenated after teaming up in April with coach Patrick Mouratoglou, who used to work with Williams.

Seeded No. 7 at the U.S. Open, Halep lost in the first round to Daria Snigur of Ukraine 6-2, 0-6, 6-4 on Aug. 30. It was the first tour-level win of Snigur's career.

Spokesmen for the U.S. Tennis Association and Mouratoglou declined comment.