Simona Halep has denied rumours she’s dating one of her team-mates following heavy speculation, as difficulties mount for the suspended two-time Grand Slam champion
Former world No 1 Simona Halep has denied that she’s dating her doubles partner, as the Romanian continues to battle controversy on and off the court.
Halep was suspended provisionally last year after she returned a positive doping test, and a second rule violation has been placed on her since. Halep has denied the second charge but is facing a more personal issue following romantic claims.
The 31-year-old divorced her billionaire husband last year, and reports surfaced that she was dating playing partner Joao Monteiro. Halep categorically denies the rumours, and insists that nothing is going on between her and the Portuguese player.
She took to Instagram to deny the rumours, after ending her marriage with Toni Luric after just one year. Halep and Luric had been together for a number of years, but their split was reportedly amicable.
Monteiro is one of Halep’s closest friends and was hired recently to join her team to help her prepare for an eventual return to the tour once her doping situation is over. Halep’s ex-husband also spoke out about the rumours, and continues to stand by her through a tough period of allegations.
“I’m shocked, I haven’t recovered for an hour, I’m shocked and shocked again,” Luric said earlier this year. “I can not believe that. I’ve known Simona for three years, of which at least two are in the circuit, and I swear to you that this girl, my ex-wife, is obsessed with one thing: honour!
“You can take anything from Simona, [but] if you [take] away her honour, her fairness, you kill her! She is no longer human!”