By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Thursday, March 7, 2024
Former world No. 1 Simona Halep will launch her long-awaited comeback at the Miami Open this month.
Photo credit: Rob Newell/CameraSport
Brighter days are coming for Simona Halep.
Former world No. 1 Halep will launch her comeback at this month's Miami Open.
More: Simona Halep Wins Appeal, Can Resume Career Now
The 32-year-old Romanian superstar has accepted a wild card into the Miami Open, which starts on Sunday, March 17th at the Hard Rock Stadium home of the Miami Dolphins.
"m thrilled to let you all know that I will be making my return to the WTA Tour in two weeks at the @miamiopen!" Halep posted on social media. "Thank you to the tournament for giving me this opportunity and I cannot wait to be back on court and competing.
"See you all soon!"
The announcement comes two days after Halep won her doping appeal as the Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced her suspension from four years to nine months clearing the path for Halep to return to the pro circuit now.
The owner of 24 career titles, Halep has not played a match since her 2022 US Open opening-round loss to qualifier Daria Snigur. Weeks before her US Open loss, Halep captured her 24th career championship in Toronto. The 32-year-old Halep tested positive for the banned drug Roxadustat at the 2022 US Open. Roxadustat is legitimately used for the treatment of anaemia but is on the WADA Prohibited Substance list as a blood doping agent, which increases hemoglobin and the production of red blood cells. It has been used by middle distance and long-distance runners in the past.
Initially, Halep's ban was set to run through October 6, 2026, but her CAS victory means she'll be back on court in two weeks.
The owner of 24 career titles, Halep has been training throughout her suspension and has shared some training video on social media.
A two-time Miami Open semifinalist, Halep pushed Serena Williams to three sets before bowing 2-6, 6-4, 5-7 in the 2015 Miami semifinals played at Crandon Park on Key Biscayne.
Four years later, Halep reached the Miami final four at Hard Rock Stadium losing to Karolina Pliskova.
In Halep's last Miami appearance, she defeated Caroline Garcia in the 2021 first round then conceded a walkover to Anastasija Sevastova.