Romanian tennis star Simona Halep has suffered another blow. The former world number one is facing a four-year ban for her alleged doping scandal. Now, Hublot, one of her biggest sponsors, has decided to terminate its contract with the star.
Halep tested positive for the banned drug Roxadustat at the US Open last year. In 2023, irregularities were found in her Athlete Biological Passport (ABP), a second offense. Since then, Simona‘s life and career have been plunged into chaos.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) handed Simona a four-year ban earlier this year. It rocked the tennis world, and several of Halep’s colleagues, including Serena Williams, took digs at her. Halep, however, has always maintained her innocence from the beginning.
The Wimbledon champion has even contested the decision. “Both shocked and disappointed by [the tribunal’s] decision. I am eternally grateful for the outpouring of support I have received from my family, friends, and tennis fans around the world. I am continuing to train and do everything in my power to clear my name of these false allegations and return to the court,” she said (via TennisUpToDate).
Simona’s source of income has also taken a hit since she cannot play anymore. The Romanian had to put one of her houses on sale to make ends meet. Halep’s removal from the Hublot roster is another major blow to the star.
Hublot sponsors some of the biggest names in tennis, like Novak Djokovic and Elina Svitolina. Simona Halep is yet to comment on her contract termination with the luxury watch brand.
Simona Halep used to be one of the highest-paid athletes of all time
The Romanian tennis sensation has had her life turned upside-down in the last year and a half. However, there was a time when she was one of the highest-paid athletes.
Halep earned a major chunk from winning two Grand Slams in her career—the French Open in 2019 and Wimbledon in 2019. Between June 1, 2018, and June 1, 2019, Simona earned USD 10.2 million. Simona made 6.2 million USD from the prize money she won from playing. The remaining 4 million USD she made from sponsorships.
“Halep had the top prize money in the sport in 2018 and ranks fifth on the all-time list with USD 33 million. She won Grand Slam titles each of the past two years, triggering lucrative bonuses. The Romanian pro counts Nike, Wilson, Mercedes-Benz and Hublot among her sponsors,” wrote Forbes about Halep.
Simona Halep was once a global icon. She won hearts with her charm and her tennis prowess. Her unfortunate fall from grace has been sad to witness.