Caroline Wozniacki caught in ugly case of mistaken identity amid Simona Halep furore
The Denmark great moved to clarify the ugly situation.
Caroline Wozniacki has been forced to clarify she did not make comments about Simona Halep and Martina Hingis after a fake account posted made-up quotes from her regarding the tennis drama. Halep's doping ruling has been the talk of the tennis world with Serena Williams appearing to take a dig at the two-time grand slam champ after her four-year ban was upheld.
Halep had been dealt a devastating blow having been banned for four years over two separate anti-doping rule violations. Both the charges were upheld at the independent tribunal earlier this month. Halep wouldn't be able to play until October 6 2026, but the two-time grand slam winner has vowed to appeal the decision.
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While Williams caused a stir, which sparked an angry response from WTA star Sorona Cirstea, Wozniacki has now come out and blasted made-up quotes that were used on her behalf. In a Sports Illustrated article, quotes attributed to Wozniacki were from a 'fake account' on Instagram.
Wozniacki raised the concern, before hitting out at the article. "To be absolutely clear those quotes were NOT from me, but instead were taken from an account on Instagram that pretended to be me," she wrote. Reporter Jon Wertheim from Sports Illustrated apologised for the mistake and has since deleted the quotes.
It comes as Halep defends herself against two anti-doping rule violations that threatens her career.
It’s come to my attention that @jon_wertheim posted, and since deleted, quotes and opinions from me about Martina Hingis and the Halep doping case.
To be ABSOLUTELY CLEAR those quotes were NOT from me, but instead were taken from an account on Instagram that pretended to be…— Caroline Wozniacki (@CaroWozniacki) September 21, 2023
With full apologies to Caroline: …Editors’ note, Sept. 21, 11:20 a.m: Quotes attributed to Caroline Wozniacki which initially appeared in an earlier version of this story were found not to be authentic. SI has since learned she was not the source and regrets this error.
— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) September 21, 2023
Serena Williams' cryptic message after Simona Halep ban
After the Halep announcement earlier this month, Williams appeared to throw some shade at the Romanian great over the tribunal decision. Halep won her Wimbledon title against Williams in 2019. Williams was going for her eighth title, but finished her career with seven after losing to Halep in straight sets at The Championship.
And Williams has put out a cryptic message when she posted: "8 is a better number." Most tennis fans took this as Williams throwing shade at Halep for beating her in the Wimbledon final.
A week later, Cirstea labelled Williams as 'arrogant' in an interview with Sport Romania. "Serena as a player was extraordinarily good. As a person, she always had this arrogance. She didn't accept when someone could beat her or took a title from her," she said.
After taking a dig at Williams, Cirstea defended Halep and said the issue is every athlete's worst nightmare.
"I know Simona. I don't think she ever consciously doped. This suspension is for an innocent person," she said. "I was afraid to take anything, I was afraid to take an aspirin. I'm maybe a little paranoid, but it's no joke. It's every athlete's nightmare."
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