Former world number one Simona Halep, whose career has stalled due to a doping ban eased this year on appeal, will step up her return to the Australian Open after receiving a wild card for Wednesday’s qualifying tournament.
The 33-year-old was provisionally suspended in October 2022, followed by a four-year ban, which was reduced to nine months in March after an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Halep, who has denied knowingly taking the banned drug roxadustat, returned to play in March in Miami and last competed at a WTA Tour tournament in Hong Kong, where she lost in the first round in October.
The 2018 Australian Open runner-up said she was excited to return to the country after three years.
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“I’ve been working hard to prepare for the 2025 season,” said Halep, a former French Open and Wimbledon champion who is currently ranked 877th in the world.
“The Australian Open provided some of the best moments of my career, so I can’t wait to get back to Melbourne and play in front of the Australian fans,” she added.
Meanwhile, Australian Cruz Hewitt will be looking to emulate his father Lleyton by making his Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open after organizers handed the 16-year-old a wild card to the qualifying event ahead of the major played from January 12-26.
The senior Hewitt, a two-time Grand Slam singles champion who was also ranked No. 1 in the world rankings, made his debut as a 15-year-old at Melbourne Park in 1997 after an inspiring performance in the qualifying rounds.
