Australian Open: Simona Halep and Cruz Hewitt receive qualifying wildcards
Former world number one Simona Halep has received a wildcard for Australian Open qualifying.
The 33-year-old Romanian was given a four-year doping ban that was reduced to nine months this year.
Halep, who maintained her innocence after being charged with two separate doping offences, returned to action in Miami in March and last competed on the WTA Tour in October in Hong Kong, where she lost in the first round.
The former French Open and Wimbledon champion is ranked 877 in the world.
Halep was runner-up to Caroline Wozniacki in the 2018 Australian Open final.
She reached the fourth round on her most recent appearance in 2022.
“I have been working hard to get ready for the 2025 season,” said Halep.
“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.”
Sixteen-year-old Australian Cruz Hewitt will aim to emulate father Lleyton by making his Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open after he was handed a qualifying wildcard.
Lleyton Hewitt, a two-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one, made his major debut as a 15-year-old at Melbourne Park after coming through qualifying in 1997.
Qualifying runs from 6-9 January and the Australian Open starts on 12 January.
