Australian Open: Simona Halep and Cruz Hewitt earn qualifying wild playing cards

Former world primary Simona Halep has acquired a wild card to qualify for the Australian Open.

The 33-year-old Romanian participant was given a four-year drug ban that was decreased to 9 months this yr.

Halep, who has maintained her innocence after being indicted on two separate doping expenses, returned to Miami in March and final competed on the WTA match in October in Hong Kong, the place she misplaced within the first spherical.

The previous French Open and Wimbledon champion is ranked 877 on this planet.

Halep was runner-up to Caroline Wozniacki within the 2018 Australian Open remaining.

He reached the fourth spherical in his most up-to-date look in 2022.

“I’ve been working arduous getting ready for the 2025 season,” mentioned Halep.

“The Australian Open has given me among the greatest moments of my profession, so I can not wait to get again to Melbourne and play in entrance of the Aussie followers.”

Sixteen-year-old Australian Cruz Hewitt will goal to emulate father Lleyton by making his Grand Slam debut on the Australian Open after being awarded a qualifying wild card.

Lleyton Hewitt, a two-time Grand Slam champion and former world primary, made his main debut as a 15-year-old at Melbourne Park after profitable in 1997.

Qualifying runs from 6-9 January and the Australian Open begins on 12 January.