Simona Halep provisionally suspended after testing positive for banned substance
The Russian player was among the five players suspended for the first-round of Wimbledon. The tournament runs from Monday to Saturday.
Djokovic’s father, Ivan, has previously expressed his desire to see his son banned for the event but his daughter and mother said that was not an option.
“I hope that the suspension is the end of the problem, but it is certainly not. It is clear that he wants to lose in the French Open, and in case of that he does not have to be punished, but he shouldn’t do it in a tournament like Wimbledon,” Simona said on Friday.
“I have no doubt that these are all the necessary steps for him to change, and it is the correct decision from the tennis point of view.”
Simona Halep’s father Ivan, who has previously spoken out against the punishment, said his decision was out of respect for her to take the blame.
He told Russian media the suspension was fair, especially considering the player had received a positive drug test during the first round of the French Open.
“I always support the decision (to suspend). We discussed this case at length and with Ivan, and I respect his will to decide the case. And this is the decision he has made,” he said according to AP.
“I hope that the suspension is the end of the problem, but it is certainly not. It is clear that she (Simona) wants to lose in the French Open, and in case of that she doesn’t have to be punished, but she shouldn’t do it in a tournament like Wimbledon.
“I have no doubt that these are all the necessary steps for him to change, and it is the correct decision from the tennis point of view,” Simona’s father added.
Simona was given the drug test on Friday after the Russian team left her out of their practice match at London’s ExCeL Centre against Jelena Jankovic and Vera Zvonareva, who is coming back