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Halep receives wildcard entry for Australian Open qualifying event

Posted : 18 December 2024

Simona Halep, a former world No. 1, is making strides in her comeback after a challenging period marked by a doping suspension. The 33-year-old Romanian received a wildcard entry for the Australian Open qualifying tournament on Wednesday, signaling the next step in her return to competitive tennis.


Halep’s career hit a major setback when she was provisionally suspended in October 2022, following a positive test for the banned substance roxadustat. Initially banned for four years, her suspension was reduced to nine months in March 2023 after a successful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.


Despite the suspension, Halep has consistently maintained that she did not knowingly take the banned substance. She made her return to tennis at the 2023 Miami Open, and her most recent WTA Tour appearance came in Hong Kong in October, where she suffered an early exit in the first round.


Currently ranked 877th in the world, Halep is working hard to regain her former level of play. Her goal is to get back into contention for major titles, and her wildcard entry into the Australian Open qualifying event will provide her with an opportunity to prove herself on the big stage again.


Meanwhile, 16-year-old Australian Cruz Hewitt is looking to make his mark at the Australian Open, having also received a wildcard for the tournament's qualifying rounds. The young talent will follow in the footsteps of his father, Lleyton Hewitt, who made his own Grand Slam debut at just 15 years old.


Lleyton, a two-time Grand Slam champion, had a remarkable journey to his debut at the 1997 Australian Open. His inspiring run through the qualifiers in Melbourne Park that year paved the way for his successful career, which included reaching No. 1 in the world rankings.


Now, Cruz Hewitt has the chance to emulate his father’s success. As the Australian Open approaches in January, all eyes will be on the young prospect as he competes in the prestigious tournament's qualifying event, aiming to make a name for himself in the tennis world.

 

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