Simona Halep is set to make a comeback on the tennis court after confirming her stint at the Miami Open this month.
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HALEP TO RETURN AFTER WINNING DOPING APPEAL
The Romanian tennis star was cleared to play in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour on Tuesday after more than 17 months of inactivity.
Halep’s claim that she was not completely at fault for her positive doping test was accepted by the Court of Arbitration and Sport (CAS). The CAS would later reduce her doping ban from four years to nine months.
The Miami Open would be Halep’s first WTA Tour competition since the US Open in September 2022.
“I’m thrilled to let you all know that I will be making my return to the WTA Tour in two weeks at the Miami Open,” Halep wrote on social media. “Thank you to the tournament for giving me this opportunity and I cannot wait to be back on court and competing.”
UNRANKED HALEP NEEDS WILD CARD INVITES TO PLAY
Halep’s hiatus makes her unranked. This means she would need wild card invitations to play in more tournaments.
The former world No.1 was tested for the banned blood-booster substance roxadustat at the 2022 US Open. Halep has denied any wrongdoing and she immediately appealed the four-year ban imposed by the CAS.
The Romanian last won a title at the 1000-level Canadian Open in August 2022. She was a two-time semifinalist in Miami.