Former world number one Halep handed Australian Open qualifying wildcard

Simona Halep has been awarded a wildcard for next month's Australian Open qualifying rounds.

The former world number one returned to the WTA Tour earlier this year, after her four-year ban for two separate doping offences was reduced to nine months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

However, her comeback was hindered by a knee injury that limited her to just five tour-level matches, with her most recent a first-round defeat in Hong Kong in October.

Halep, who maintained her innocence following the charges, has fond memories of Melbourne Park, where she was runner-up to Caroline Wozniacki in 2018.

The two-time major winner - now ranked 877th in the WTA - was also a semi-finalist in 2020, while she has reached a further three quarter-finals at the season's opening major.

"I have been working hard to get ready for the 2025 season," the 33-year-old said.

"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."

Halep will be joined in qualifying by Cruz Hewitt - son of another former world number one and two-time major champion in Lleyton Hewitt - with the 16-year-old set to make his Grand Slam debut, having also been handed a wildcard.

Happy Slam@Simona_Halep See you soon! #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/1xEibhJOCX

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) December 18, 2024