Simona Halep’s former coach says ‘no chance’ the two-time grand slam champion knowingly took banned substance.
The Russian-born French Open champion admits she is now taking a very different approach to doping.
Serena Williams won grand slams in 2011 and 2012 with a cocktail of banned substances, including the blood-boosting drug erythropoietin.
But now the 38-year-old mother of two says she has already come to terms with her actions.
“I was doing what I had to do, and that’s what I have to do,” she told the German daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung.
“I tried to win because I want to be able to give my children the happiness I had in my life, and to be able to have a healthy family and do good.
“These days it’s not about winning or losing, it’s about giving a positive life.
“When you’re on top, it’s about life-giving for yourself and your family.”
During an interview with the paper, Serena also said her mother was the biggest influence in her life.
“This time I’m not running away from my past because of what happened,” she added, speaking about her drug use at the time of her first Grand Slam title.
“I’m running towards it. I will have to learn from that and I’m ready.
“But I’m here to win on the court.
“I won’t see the same players anymore in my life. I won’t be intimidated by them.”
(Image: Getty Images)
World No 13 Williams was cleared to compete in the U.S. Open as a result of doping tests she undertook by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) on 27 July last year to find out whether or not she was under the influence of any banned substance.
Williams will take the court on Monday for the first time since the results of the drug test were announced.
In the interview with the Sueddeutsche Zeitung, the American, who was runner-up in the 2018 French Open and Wimbledon Championships, said she “found out” that the substances she had taken had come from the Russian-based sports-drug company Novartis.
In the interview
