Romanian tennis player Simona Halep has been awarded a qualifying wild card for the first Grand Slam tournament of the upcoming year, Australian Open, which will take place in Melbourne from January 6 to 26.

Halep (33 years old) is ranked 877th in the WTA ranking, having played only five matches this year, during which she made a comeback after a four-year doping suspension, reduced to nine months.

Simona Halep, a former world No. 1, reached the final at the Australian Open in 2018, losing in three sets to Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki.

„The thought of returning to Australia after three years is exciting and I’m very grateful to the tournament for this opportunity. I have been working hard to get ready for the 2025 season. 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,” Halep told the Australian Open website.

Other Romanian players who will compete in the qualifying matches include: Ana Bogdan (WTA’s 114th), Anca Todoni (WTA’s 118th), Gabriela Ruse (WTA’s 121st), and Miriam Bulgaru (WTA’s 211th).

Sorana Cirstea (WTA’s 69th), Irina Begu (WTA’s 79th), and Jaqueline Cristian (WTA’s 85th) are directly qualified for the singles main draw in Melbourne.

AGERPRES