Romanian tennis star Simona Halep is taking legal action against the Canadian company responsible for a dietary supplement she alleges led to her doping violation and subsequent four-year ban from the sport, a sanction that could potentially end her career.
The two-time Grand Slam champion is pursuing damages exceeding $10 million from Quantum Nutrition, trading as Schinoussa Superfoods. This action follows her positive test for roxadustat during the 2022 US Open, a substance often used to treat anaemia but prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) due to its performance-enhancing effects.
The former world No.1 claims she consumed the supplements during the 2022 Flushing Meadows tournament, specifically mentioning the Keto MCT product, which she alleges was contaminated with roxadustat, an ingredient not listed on the label.