Australian Open: Simona Halep and Cruz Hewitt receive qualifying wildcards
Former world number one Simona Halep has received a wild card into Australian Open qualifying.
The 33-year-old Romanian was sentenced to four years of doping ban reduced to nine months This year.
Halep, who has maintained her innocence after being charged with two doping charges, returned to competition in Miami in March and last played at a WTA Tour event in Hong Kong in October, but failed in the first round. Lose.
The former French Open and Wimbledon champion is ranked 877th in the world.
Halep finished runner-up to Caroline Wozniacki in the 2018 Australian Open final.
Her most recent appearance was in 2022, reaching the fourth round.
“I’ve been working hard to prepare for the 2025 season,” Halep said.
“The Australian Open has provided me with some of the best moments of my career, so I can’t wait to get back to Melbourne and compete in front of Australian fans.”
Australian Cruz Hewitt, 16, aims to emulate his father Lleyton and make his Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open after receiving a qualifying wild card.
Two-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one Lleyton Hewitt made his debut at Melbourne Park aged 15 after qualifying in 1997.
Qualifying rounds take place from January 6 to 9, with the Australian Open starting on January 12.
