Simona Halep shares ‘great news’ as comeback begins to gather pace
Simona Halep will be back on court sooner than expected with the Romanian announcing she will be in action next week.
The Romanian has confirmed that she has accepted a wildcard into the Hong Kong 125 Open next week, a 125-level event just below the official WTA Tour.
In a video shared by the tournament on social media, the 33-year-old revealed her joy at being able to share the “great news” ahead of her first event in four months.
“Hello guys, I figured today was a great day to share the great news that I will be back on the court sooner than expected,” said Halep.
“I will be flying to Hong Kong tomorrow to compete in the WTA125 Hong Kong Open. Big thanks to the tournament for the wildcard and I cannot wait to see you all there.”
Halep has already been confirmed to play at the WTA 250-level event in Hong Kong at the end of October, having received a wildcard into the main draw.
The Romanian was sensationally allowed to make an immediate return to court back in March this year, after her four-year doping suspension was cut down to just nine months.
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The two-time Grand Slam champion had initially tested positive for roxadustat at the 2022 US Open and had spent 18 months off court due to suspension.
Halep made a quick return to court once her suspension was cut, receiving a wildcard into the Miami Open, where she was beaten in three sets by Paula Badosa.
The Romanian was then forced to withdraw from the Madrid Open – where she had also received a wildcard – due to a knee injury.
She has played only once since Miami due to that lingering injury, retiring injured in her opening round match against McCartney Kessler at the 125-level Trophee Clarins back in May.
Halep is currently down at 1,130th in the WTA Rankings and she will hope to start revitalising her career across the remaining months of 2024.
The Romanian spent 64 weeks atop the WTA Rankings during the peak of her career, winning the 2018 French Open and 2019 Wimbledon titles alongside reaching a further three major finals.
Halep has won 24 career WTA titles in total, with her last victory coming at the 2022 Canadian Open – just weeks before she tested positive at Flushing Meadows.
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