Serena Williams branded ‘arrogant’ by rival over Simona Halep takedown
World no.25 Sorana Cirstea has had her say on Simona Halep’s four-year doping ban, and Serena Williams’ response to it.
Former world no.1 Halep had been charged with two breaches of Tennis Anti-Doping Program rules, and has since been dealt a four-year ban.
The breaches were for testing positive for the blood-boosting drug Roxadustat and for irregularities in her Athlete Biological Passport.
With the Romanian’s status as a two-time Grand Slam champion, the ban has been huge news, prompting a strong response from Williams, who tweeted: “8 is a better number.”
The now-retired Williams lost the 2019 Wimbledon title to Halep, leaving her on 23 Grand Slam titles, one short of Margaret Court’s all-time female record.
The 6-2, 6-2 defeat also left Williams on seven Wimbledon titles, which could be the interpretation of her tweet.
read more tennis news
The American clearly feels aggrieved, but according to current world no.25, it’s just a sign of ‘arrogance’.
Cirstea hit out at Williams’ comment, and defended her compatriot Halep in an interview with Sport Romania.
"Serena as a player was extraordinarily good. As a person, she always had this arrogance,” Cirstea said via . “She didn't accept when someone could beat her or took a title from her.
"I know Simona. I don't think she ever consciously doped. This suspension is for an innocent person.
Most read in Sport
"I was afraid to take anything, I was afraid to take an aspirin. I'm maybe a little paranoid, but it's no joke. It's every athlete's nightmare."