Former world number one Simona Halep has received a wildcard for Australian Open qualifying.
The 33-year-old Romanian tennis star was given a four-year doping ban that was reduced to nine months this year.
She maintained her innocence after being charged with two separate doping offenses and returned to the court in Miami in March. Her last competition was on the WTA Tour in October in Hong Kong, where she lost in the first round.
The former French Open and Wimbledon champion is currently ranked 877 in the world.
The Australia Open final is one of Halep’s favorite tournaments. She was runner-up to Caroline Wozniacki in the 2018 Australian Open final and reached the fourth round in 2022, her last appearance there.
“I have been working hard to get ready for the 2025 season,” said Halep.
“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,” she said.
Qualifying runs from 6-9 January and the Australian Open starts on 12 January.
