While at Roland Garros, where he acts as a consultant and commentator, Patrick Muratoglu agreed to talk to HotNews.ro about the latest developments in the doping case involving Simona Halep.

Patrick Muratoglu says he will continue to coach Simona Halep

The French coach says from the beginning that Simone feels improper behavior on the part of the ITIA (International Tennis Integrity Agency), an organization that has already postponed the hearing of the former WTA leader three times.

Muratoglu also states that Halep will lose all points in the WTA ranking, but also gives assurances that Simona’s coach will remain: “When people have problems, I don’t leave them. So I’ll be there”

HotNews.ro: Already three postponements in the Simona hearing case and too little explanation from ITIA. What are the expectations of Patrick Muratoglu at the moment?

Patrick Muratoglu: Simona asked to follow the rules. And ITIA or ITF rules state that when you are suspended, as in Simone’s case, you are entitled to a hearing as soon as possible.

Simona has been waiting for a conversation since February. The hearing has just been rescheduled from late May and is now scheduled to take place at the end of June. This would be the fourth attempt.

I say they don’t follow the rules which is really shocking. Simona never asked for special treatment, she only asked to be able to present her point of view together with the experts who represent her.

HotNews.ro: What will be the next steps in this endless process?

Patrick Muratoglu: The next step in the process for her is to finally be heard as we see ITIA keep putting it off. Only then will we make a decision based on all the details we have at that time.

In both cases (he also refers to “violations” in the biological passport), we have experts who study all the information and draw a conclusion. We are talking about some of the world’s best experts in their field.

HotNews.ro: When will we be able to see Simona Halep in official tennis again?

Patrick Muratoglu: The problem is, she’s been on the sidelines for too long with all these postponements, and she’ll probably lose all her points (WTA No. He’s missed four Grand Slams and all her points just because they didn’t do their job right.

So when he gets to play again, he’ll be starting from scratch, which is grossly unfair, and that, I repeat, is only because they didn’t do their job properly.

HotNews.ro: In recent history, doping cases were revealed much faster. What do you think is happening now, why is Simona’s case so different?

Patrick Muratoglu: Of course, there is always an explanation, but I don’t have one. I think the way they handled Simone is one of the worst episodes of any player in the last 20 years. This is unacceptable.

HotNews.ro: Will you continue to be Simona Halep’s coach?

Patrick Muratoglu: Of course, firstly, because we have an incredible relationship, and secondly, when people have problems, I don’t leave them. So I’ll be there.

Know:

• The news that Simona Halep was temporarily suspended for doping appeared on Friday, October 21, 2022.

• Simona Halep is temporarily suspended from tennis due to a positive test for Roxadustat (conducted during the US Open 2022).

• Simona’s case will be heard by Sport Resolutions, an independent court in London that hears doping cases in white sport.

• However, if innocence cannot be proven, Simone has one more appeal: the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.

• It will be recalled that the maximum suspension that Halep could receive is 4 years.

>> Simona Halep is shocked after the trial in her doping case was postponed again

>> Simona Halep’s stormy reaction after ITIA’s accusations of a new violation of the anti-doping program