Halep gets wildcard for Australian Open qualifying

Former world primary Simona Halep has acquired a wildcard for Australian Open qualifying.

The 33-year-old Romanian was given a four-year doping ban that was diminished to 9 months this 12 months.

Halep, who maintained her innocence after being charged with two separate doping offences, returned to motion in Miami in March and final competed on the WTA Tour in October in Hong Kong, the place she misplaced within the first spherical.

The previous French Open and Wimbledon champion is ranked 877 on the earth.

Halep was runner-up to Caroline Wozniacki within the 2018 Australian Open closing.

She reached the fourth spherical on her most up-to-date look in 2022.

“I’ve been working arduous to prepare for the 2025 season,” mentioned Halep.

“The Australian Open has offered me with a number of the finest moments in my profession, so I can not wait to be again in Melbourne and enjoying in entrance of the Aussie followers.”

Sixteen-year-old Australian Cruz Hewitt will intention to emulate father Lleyton by making his Grand Slam debut on the Australian Open after he was handed a qualifying wildcard.

Lleyton Hewitt, a two-time Grand Slam champion and former world primary, made his main debut as a 15-year-old at Melbourne Park after coming via qualifying in 1997.

Qualifying runs from 6-9 January and the Australian Open begins on 12 January.