Simona Halep has spoken out on Maria Sharapova's doping ban that was emerged in 2016.

Maria Sharapova was given a two-year ban from tennis after she tested positive for meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open.

The five-time Grand Slam winner claimed she had been taking the substance for 10 years for medical reasons and did not know it had been banned. Sharapova was handed a reduced sentence and was back on tour in April 2017.

Simona Halep, who is currently world No. 2, was asked for her thoughts on the Maria Sharapova doping ban in 2016 and the Romanian did not hold back (h/t WTA Insider).

“For me, it’s not normal what she did, because we all know the rules, and we all know that you have to be careful what you take, because it’s banned or not. So for me, it was a surprise that she did something like that,” Simona Halep said in 2016.

The Romanian also claimed that Maria Sharapova should have been banned for longer as she had taken a banned substance intentionally.

“I don’t think it’s fair that somebody does something like that and gets away with a slap on the wrist. I think it set a bad example, especially to kids who are watching our sport. They need to know that there are rules and you have to obey them, or else there are consequences,” Simona Halep added.

Maria Sharapova was back on tour in April 2017 and has since won two WTA titles. The Russian is currently ranked No. 36 in the world. Simona Halep, meanwhile, is fresh off her victory at the Madrid Open and will be one of the favourites to win the French Open later this month.