​Adrian Marcou, the former coach of Simona Halep, said on Thursday that the doping scandal could mean the end of the former WTA leader’s career if the process takes too long.

The end of Simona Halep’s career? The longer he grieves, the harder it will be for him to return

“If the process takes a long time, yes, of course, it will mean. Especially if he doesn’t know much and it will be a suspension. I don’t think it will be easy, especially since until the end of the year he doesn’t play, loses some points, then at the beginning of next year he won’t play again and loses some points again. Therefore, if by March-April he reaches 70-80 place in the rating, it will be very difficult for him to resume all this titanic work.

I understand that the hearing should be held fairly soon, but I don’t know how long this whole process will take. I communicated with her normally, I was just with her for a certain time. For me, she is not an athlete, she is a national treasure. Therefore, we cannot deal with this topic only because Simona Halep is suspended for two months… This is not the point, it is about practically destroying a career based on honest work and competitiveness,” – Adrian Markuquoted by Agerpres.

Adrian Marcou rules out that his former student deliberately used doping

“It was a shock, I can’t understand how this could happen. I can’t believe that Simona would do such a thing as I know her. This is out of the question. Somehow something happened and he has to prove it somehow. In many ways, Simone has an extraordinary work ethic, which is why she was ranked No. 1 in the world. So whether it’s supplements, training, nutrition or rest.

I don’t think she’s one of the most proven players on the circuit. She is one of the players who passed a lot of tests because she played a lot in the upper stages of the competition. But I think that all athletes are often examined. Probably for the last 3-4 months, she did 2-3 tests per month” – Adrian Marku.

Theo Serchel was one of the most important people in Simona Halep’s team

The trainer explained that the two-time Grand Slam winner had no problems as long as physical trainer Theo Serchel prepared her invigorating and hydrating drinks. Markou refused to comment on personnel changes and cooperation with Patrick Muratoglu.

“Recently it was Theo, he’s been doing it for years. I know that every time there was something new, there was a little pill, there was a change in the taste or color of the drink, there were always many questions, and nothing was ever done without every possible assurance that nothing could happen.

He made some decisions (without personnel changes) that he considered the best at the time. I can’t express my opinion, it’s her career. She made her decisions, that’s all” – Adrian Marku.

Simona Halep has been provisionally suspended for failing a doping test at the 2022 US Open, the International Tennis Integrity Agency announced on Friday.

Shortly after the clarification, which flew around the world, Simona Halep said: “I was informed that I tested positive for a substance called roxadustat in an extremely small amount. I will fight to the end to prove that I have never knowingly taken a banned substance.” Moreover, the ex-WTA leader said that she felt “completely confused and betrayed”.

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