MELBOURNE — Simona Halep was handed a wildcard for Australian Open qualifying as the two-time Grand Slam champion attempts to ramp up her return to tennis following a doping ban.
Also handed a wildcard for qualifying at the first major of the year next month in Melbourne is 16-year-old Cruz Hewitt, son of Australia's former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt.The 33-year-old Romanian Halep was suspended in October 2022 and returned to the sport in March after having her ban reduced from four years to nine months.The former world No. 1 has denied knowingly doping.
'The thought of returning to Australia after three years is exciting, and I'm very grateful to the tournament for this opportunity,' said Halep, now ranked 887th.'I have been working hard to get ready for the 2025 season,' said Halep, the 2018 runner-up in Melbourne.'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.
Revs Up For Australian Open Qualifying
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Halep, Hewitt's Son Receive Australian Open Wild CardsSimona Halep and Cruz Hewitt are among the players awarded wild cards for Australian Open qualifying.
Read more »
2014 champion Wawrinka receives wild-card entry for Australian OpenThree-time major champion Stan Wawrinka was among nine wild-card entries awarded Friday, Dec. 13, for the Australian Open in January.
Read more »
Halep, Hewitt's Son Receive Australian Open Wild CardsSimona Halep and 16-year-old Cruz Hewitt, son of Lleyton Hewitt, are among the players awarded wild-card entries for Australian Open qualifying.
Read more »
Australian cops seek 3 suspects in synagogue fireMELBOURNE – Australian police said Monday they are hunting for three suspects over an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue, designating it a terrorist
Read more »
Arsonists set Melbourne synagogue ablazeMELBOURNE – Mask-wearing arsonists set a synagogue ablaze in a pre-dawn attack Friday in the Australian city of Melbourne, police said, sparking
Read more »
Arsonists set Melbourne synagogue on fireMELBOURNE, Australia — Masked arsonists set a synagogue ablaze in a pre-dawn attack Friday in the Australian city of Melbourne, police said, sparking widespread condemnation.
Read more »