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. in 2019, beating in the final, and in 2018.
In a , Halep called the news of her positive test 鈥渢he biggest shock of my life," adding: 鈥淔acing such an unfair situation, I feel completely confused and betrayed.鈥
鈥淚 will fight until the end to prove that I never knowingly took any prohibited substance," Halep wrote, 鈥渁nd I have faith that sooner or later, the truth will come out.鈥
She is the most prominent tennis player to face a doping ban since tested positive for a newly banned substance at the 2016 Australian Open. Sharapova initially was given a two-year suspension but appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which reduced the penalty, ruling she bore 鈥渓ess than significant fault鈥 in the case and could not 鈥渂e considered to be an intentional doper.鈥
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, 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.
The ITIA said Halep tested positive in New York for the banned substance Roxadustat, a drug approved for medical use in the European Union to treat the symptoms of anemia caused by chronic kidney failure.
Halep said she was told her test showed 鈥渁n extremely low quantity.鈥
According to the EU鈥檚 medicines agency, which approved Roxadustat last year, it stimulates the body to produce more of the natural hormone erythropoietin, or EPO, which has long been a doping product favored by cyclists and distance runners.
During a provisional suspension, a tennis player is ineligible to compete in, or attend, any sanctioned events.
Under the World Anti-Doing Code, Halep faces a ban of up to four years for a positive test for a substance like Roxadustat. Athletes can earn a reduction in their ban if they quickly admit an offense and accept their sanction.
Tennis authorities will handle Halep鈥檚 case and any ruling can be challenged by the World Anti-Doping Agency in an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
鈥淭oday begins the hardest match of my life: a fight for the truth,鈥 Halep wrote Friday.
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AP Sports Writer Graham Dunbar in Geneva contributed to this report.
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