Romania’s double Grand Slam winner Simona Halep has been banned for four years after being found guilty of a range of anti-doping offences.

Halep, who has spent a total of 64 weeks at the top of the WTA world rankings and who has won both Wimbledon and The French Open, has denied any intentional wrong-doing and says that she will appeal her ban at the International Court of Arbitration for Sport.

A statement released by the player read: “I am continuing to train and do everything in my power to clear my name of these false allegations.

“The last year has been the hardest match of my life, and unfortunately my fight continues. I have devoted my life to the beautiful game of tennis.

“I take the rules that govern our sport very seriously and take pride in the fact I have never knowingly or intentionally used any prohibited substance. I refuse to accept their decision of a four-year ban.”

Halep has been suspended from playing since last year’s US Open when she tested positive for the anti-anaemia drug Roxadustat which increases the number of red blood cells in the body.

“I was tested almost weekly after my initial positive test through early 2023, all of which came back negative.

“I believe in a clean sport and in almost two decades as a professional tennis player, through hundreds of tournaments and two Grand Slam titles, I have taken 200 blood and urine tests to check for prohibited substances – all of which have been clean,” she said.