Former world number one Simona Halep received a wild card to qualify for the Australian Open.
The 33-year-old Romanian received a four-year doping ban reduced to nine months this year.
Halep, who has maintained her innocence after being charged with two separate doping offenses, returned to action in March in Miami and last competed in a WTA Tour tournament in October in Hong Kong, where she lost in the first round.
The former French Open and Wimbledon champion is ranked 877th in the world.
Halep was runner-up to Caroline Wozniacki in the 2018 Australian Open final.
In her last appearance in 2022, she reached the fourth round.
“I’ve been working hard to prepare for the 2025 season,” Halep said.
“The Australian Open provided some of the best moments of my career, so I can’t wait to return to Melbourne and play in front of the Australian fans.”
Sixteen-year-old Australian Cruz Hewitt will look to emulate his father Lleyton by making his Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open after receiving a qualifying wild card.
Lleyton Hewitt, a two-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one, made his debut as a 15-year-old at Melbourne Park after qualifying in 1997.
Qualifying will take place on January 6–9, and the Australian Open will start on January 12.
