Simona Halep awarded Australian Open qualifying wildcard amid comeback from doping suspension, Cruz Hewitt in men's draw
Published 18/12/2024 at 10:20 GMT
Former Grand Slam champion and world No. 1 Simona Halep has been awarded a wildcard to compete in the Australian Open qualifying rounds, which begin on January 6. The Romanian has been on the comeback trail from a doping suspension, originally for four years but then reduced to nine months. She returned in March but played a limited season in 2024 and is currently ranked 877th in the world.
'Sublime' - De Minaur pulls off stunning no-look drop shot against Struff
Video credit: TNT Sports
Former world No. 1 Simona Halep has been awarded a wildcard for the Australian Open qualifying tournament.
A two-time Grand Slam champion, Halep was embroiled in a high-profile doping case and originally given a four-year suspension, later reduced to nine months by CAS.
She returned to action in March last year but spent limited time on court in 2024, last playing in a first-round loss at the WTA 250 tournament in Hong Kong in October.
"The thought of returning to Australia after three years is exciting and I'm very grateful to the tournament for this opportunity. I have been working hard to get ready for the 2025 season," Halep said.
"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."
The Romanian was runner-up at Melbourne Park in 2018, losing in the final to Caroline Wozniacki, and reached the fourth round on her last appearance there, in 2022.
Halep tested positive for the banned substance Roxadustat a few months later following a first-round loss at the US Open, and was given a four-year ban from competition.
She was accused of a second doping offence by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), for irregularities in her Athlete Biological Passport, the following May, and a four-year suspension - backdated to the original offence - was handed down in September 2023.
- Former champion Wawrinka among nine Australian Open wildcards
- Nadal admits he almost took 'complete break' from tennis - 'We are human beings, not superheroes'
- Where are Djokovic, Sinner and Alcaraz starting 2025 season ahead of Australian Open?
Halep has consistently denied doping and a lengthy legal battle followed, ending with CAS' decision to reduce her suspension to nine months. The Australian Open will be her first Grand Slam appearance since before her suspension.
She was year-end world No. 1 in 2017 and 2018 but is now ranked 877th in the world.
Hewitt given men's quali wildcard
The qualifying list for the tournament also includes top-100 players Alycia Parks, Viktorija Golubic and Nuria Parrizas Diaz, while on the men's side, British player Dan Evans, former Wimbledon quarter-finalist Christopher Eubanks, and Australian former top-20 player Bernard Tomic have all been granted entry.
Up-and-coming talents Luca van Assche, Joao Fonseca, and Learner Tien, who are all in action at this week's Next Gen ATP Finals, are also on the list.
As many as 24 Australian players will compete in qualifying, including Cruz Hewitt.
The 16-year-old is the son of former champion Lleyton Hewitt, the latter making his first appearance at a Grand Slam at Melbourne Park 27 years ago after coming through qualifying, and later won two majors.
Qualifying runs from January 6-9, with the tournament proper beginning on January 12.
Watch and stream the 2025 Australian Open live on Eurosport and discovery+
Related Topics
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement