MIKE DICKSON – MATCH POINT: Simona Halep’s story is sad and complex… but it shows clean stars are protected

With the length of a short novel and relying on the language of a scientific article, the 126-page decision in the Simona Halep doping case is dizzyingly complex.

Its reading is not intended for people with attention deficit disorders, and it appears that his ban from playing tennis for four years is the result of an extremely thorough investigation.

Although there have been complaints – notably from Halep and his team – that the process was taking too long, no one can say that the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) skimped on the details.

There is an argument for a higher time limit, but those whose rights often seem to go unmentioned in this area – the players who compete at 100 percent without seeking to take shortcuts – should take some comfort in this. measure. rigorous approach.

This is particularly relevant in a sport that, in recent decades, has chosen to emphasize strength and endurance like never before, while offering substantial rewards to those who manage to remain at the upper echelons.

Halep maintains she is innocent and her case is dizzyingly complex

In short, the temptation to cheat has never been greater, and with that comes a need for strong deterrents. Heavier balls, slower surfaces, racket stringing technology that tends to lengthen rallies: these are factors that emphasize physical endurance, as well as all the fine motor skills and technique needed to succeed. Examples of this change are not difficult to find.

Take, for example, the US Open men’s final, which saw a 104-minute second set between Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev, testing both men to their limits. Or you can check out the WTA Tour website, which gleefully touts its “marathon wonders” by detailing the 60 matches exceeding the three-hour mark that have taken place this season.

Twenty years ago, such encounters barely existed between women. It is encouraging, therefore, that the ITIA appears to be a more robust organization than its predecessors, as it attempts to protect those who do the right thing.

Halep has always maintained that she belonged to this group and continues to protest her innocence. She will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which is accustomed to showing leniency towards tennis players. The Romanian, 31, would not have been at the top of my own list of potential doping suspects because he was previously considered a person of integrity.

It’s fair to say many players were shocked to discover she had tested positive for banned roxadustat at last year’s US Open. Still, the decision doesn’t make reading comfortable for her or those who work with her.

Among the nuggets that emerged from the report was the fact that she did not mention her fateful taking of the Keto MCT supplement, either on her doping control form from August 29 of last year, or at a subsequent hearing in October.

One thing is certain, Halep changed a lot in his life on and off the field last summer. In early spring 2022, she began working with French coach Patrick Mouratoglou, who was vocal in bringing down the verdict.

At the end of May, she announced that she had separated from Virginia Ruzici, her fellow Romanian, former Roland-Garros champion. Ruzici, a highly respected figure in the sport, had been Halep’s manager-mentor since his late teens.

Halep experienced a tumultuous time in her life in 2022, which included splitting from her longtime manager-mentor, Virginia Ruzici (left)

Halep is the highest-profile player to test positive for a banned substance since Maria Sharapova (above) in 2016.

It is worth noting that a few days before their separation, Halep said she suffered a panic attack on court during her second-round elimination at Roland Garros.

In September 2021, she married Toni Iuruc, a prominent businessman from her country who is said to be a billionaire. However, before their first anniversary, it was announced that they were divorcing.

Amidst all this, Halep reached the 2022 Wimbledon semi-finals.

It was therefore a tumultuous period in her life, which resulted in her becoming the most high-profile tennis player to test positive for a banned substance since Maria Sharapova in 2016.

The other accusation against Halep related to anomalies found in her biological blood passport. It may well be that the latter system has a more deterrent effect on other actors seeking to gain an unfair advantage.

In a sport that has evolved into one that increasingly rewards perseverance, adequately resourced policing has never been more important.

Don’t focus so much on Novak

The debate continues over Novak Djokovic’s telephone celebration after his US Open semi-final victory over Ben Shelton. Ben’s father, former pro Bryan, wasn’t happy, telling GQ: “He wanted to make fun of Ben at the end.” It wasn’t just to copy Ben. It’s a shame that this comes from such a great champion.

A parent should never be blamed for feeling protective of their offspring. Yet, in the moment of victory and after beating an opponent supported by a partisan New York crowd, was what Djokovic did really that bad?

This was a US Open semi-final, not a mixed social doubleheader at the country club, and the reaction of some is rather symptomatic of the excess of false politeness that prevails in what is a sport gladiator.

Tennis is an entertainment activity, in which it is better to talk about it than not to talk about it. Djokovic’s momentary gesture was hardly a hanging infraction.

Novak Djokovic copied Ben Shelton’s phone celebration after beating him in the US Open semifinals

Shelton’s father, Bryan (right), was unhappy with Djokovic’s action, but it was not a hanging infraction.

Manchester wins

Whatever problems there were with the structure and position of the Davis Cup in the calendar, they were not very evident on the days when Great Britain played.

Sunday’s thrilling victory against France vindicated LTA’s decision to win the group stage in Manchester.

When 9,000 spectators gather on a Wednesday afternoon in September, in a place with no prior history of watching tennis, you know there is something worth preserving.

Thousands of fans turned out to watch Great Britain’s thrilling Davis Cup victory over France in Manchester.

Postcard of a life on tour

Traveling from New York to Manchester was not the culture shock it might have been 20 years ago.

The number of buildings being built in the northern capital gives parts of the city a mini-Manhattan feel, while the appeal of downtown’s designer boutiques wouldn’t be out of place on Fifth Avenue.

Majestic civic buildings rub shoulders with modern and daring creations; visitors to the John Rylands Library will soon find it side by side with the latest branch of the Sexy Fish restaurant chain.

A real culture shock with New York that didn’t take getting used to: walking into Sinclair’s Oyster Bar and paying just £3 for a pint of Samuel Smith bitters.