It is not much of a surprise to see sportspersons try their hand at other sports as a pastime, especially those that have similarities to the one they are used to. Tennis and Golf are two sports which have distinct similarities, especially the swing.
Of late, many tennis players including the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic have taken to Golf with considerable success. Simona Halep is the latest to join that list as she was seen grazing the sport in Dubai, showing tennis fans that she is quite good at handling clubs as well. In fact, she did exceedingly well for a rookie, with a swing that amazed many.
Simona Halep golfing today.
The swing looks pretty good. ⛳️ pic.twitter.com/w7ZcJi44WF
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 27, 2023
Fans started to pour in their reactions, with some choosing to take a dig at her doping offense, stating “No doping today?” Some were of the opinion that she was doing it for Public Relations, quoting, “Lol The PR continues.. Maybe she should join #Barty, and take up golf!” Others went on to quote, “I feel like I’m seeing more Halep content now than when she was active. Is someone paying you guys for this?”
Simona is spending her time in Dubai, these days, so as to train at the CF Tennis Academy. This is because of her suspension for doping, as she is not allowed to train in sports bases that are used by professionals. It is to be noted that, she has a good image in the UAE as she has won the WTA tournament organized in the country, twice, in 2015 and 2020.
Simona Halep officially appeals against her four-year doping ban
Halep, who was banned by the International Tennis Integrity Agency(ITIA) for committing “intentional” offenses related to doping has now appealed for reduced sanctions. Simona tested positive for the usage of Roxadustat, a banned substance, in August 2022 and stood provisionally suspended from October of last year.
Later it was identified that the 2019 Wimbledon Champion had irregularities in her Athlete Biological Passport(ABP), thus invoking a suspension of four years. According to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), it has registered the appeal by the Romanian star against the sentence of the International Tennis Integrity Agency Tribunal.
BREAKING:
Simona Halep has officially filed her appeal for her 4 year doping ban from professional tennis.
Statement from Swiss Court:
“In her appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Simona asked that her decision be set aside & her sanction be reduced.”
CAS hasn’t… pic.twitter.com/0pSRjxzcXW
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 24, 2023
Though the sentence was pronounced on September 22, 2023, her period of ineligibility commenced on October 7, 2022, and further, disqualifying all results attained by the concerned player from the period August 29, 2022, to October 7, 2022, forfeiting medals, prize money, ranking points, and titles. If the sanctions are not reduced, the ban will run until October 6, 2026.
Due to the challenge from the player concerned, the CAS arbitration proceedings have begun, and according to the Code of Sports-related Arbitration(the CAS Code) and CAS procedures, both the parties ought to exchange written submissions, and the panel of arbitrators who will give the final take on the matter is getting constituted.
Once the panel is constituted, the panel will provide directions for the procedures of the next phase which includes the hearings. Following the hearing, the deliberations and the Arbitral Award consisting of the decisions and the grounds on which it is based, will be issued. The CAS Panel’s decision will be final with the guilty party can file an appeal within 30 days on restricted grounds.