Former world number one Simona Halep, whose career was delayed owing to a doping ban that was reduced on appeal this year, will step up her comeback at the Australian Open after obtaining a wildcard into the qualifying round on Wednesday.
The 33-year-old was initially suspended in October 2022 and then banned for four years, which was reduced to nine months in March after an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Halep, who has denied intentionally using the prohibited substance roxadustat, returned to play in Miami in March and last competed on the WTA Tour in Hong Kong, where she was eliminated in the first round in October.
The runner-up at the 2018 Australian Open expressed her excitement to return to the country after three years away.
“I have been working hard to get ready for the 2025 season,” said Halep, a former French Open and Wimbledon champion who is ranked 877th in the world.
The Australian Open has provided me with some of the best moments in my career, so I can’t wait to be back in Melbourne and playing in front of the Aussie fans.”
Meanwhile, Australian Cruz Hewitt will attempt to match his father Lleyton by making his Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open, where he was given a wildcard for the qualifying event preceding the Jan. 12-26 major.
The senior Hewitt, a two-time Grand Slam singles champion who also reached number one in the world rankings, made his major debut as a 15-year-old at Melbourne Park in 1997 after an impressive qualifying performance.
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