Simona Halep was not allowed to play at the US Open

The forms world’s number one in women’s tennis Simona Halep (Romania) was not allowed to participate in the US Open because of doping violations. The Romanian’s place in the main draw will be taken by Taylor Townsend (USA).

The last Grand Slam tournament of the year in New York starts on August 28.

Simona Halep’s competitive rights have been temporarily suspended after she tested positive for the banned medicine “Roxadustat” at the US Open last year. The drug is authorized in the European Union and is used to treat anemia by stimulating the body’s production of the hormone erythropoietin (EPO).

The Romanian denied intentional use of the substance and appealed, but in May of this year the doping authorities also accused her of irregularities in her biological passport, and the investigation continues.

Simona Halep is a Romanian professional tennis player. She has been ranked world No 1 in singles twice between 2017 and 2019, for a total of 64 weeks. Simona Halep was the year-end No 1 in 2017 and 2018. She has won two Grand Slam singles titles: the 2018 French Open and the 2019 Wimbledon Championships. In singles, she has a total of 24 WTA titles.