MELBOURNE, Dec 18, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Simona Halep was handed a wildcard for 
Australian Open qualifying Wednesday as the two-time Grand Slam champion 
attempts to ramp up her return to tennis following a doping ban.

Also handed a wildcard for qualifying at the first major of the year next 
month in Melbourne is 16-year-old Cruz Hewitt, the son of Australia's former 
world number one Lleyton Hewitt.

The 33-year-old Romanian Halep was suspended in October 2022 and returned to 
the sport in March after having her ban reduced from four years to nine 
months.

The former world number one has denied knowingly doping.

"The thought of returning to Australia after three years is exciting and I'm 
very grateful to the tournament for this opportunity," said Halep, now ranked 
887th.

"I have been working hard to get ready for the 2025 season," said Halep, the 
2018 runner-up in Melbourne.

"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."

Nearly 30 years after his father qualified for his first Australian Open with 
a qualifying wildcard, Cruz Hewitt will bid to do the same.

Final-round qualifying matches will be played on January 9, with main-draw 
action starting three days later.