After the disqualification for doping reduced to nine months (already served), the Romanian will take part in the second round of the Sunshine Double: she has not played since the 2022 US Open
Simona Halep said yes: the Romanian champion is already ready to return to the field. After the reduction of the disqualification for doping to nine months (already served, initially it was four years) the former world number 1 accepted the invitation of James Blake, director of the 1000 in Miami: Halep will take part in the second round of the Sunshine Double taking advantage a wildcard. It was the player herself who announced it on social media: “I am thrilled to inform you that I will be making my return to the Tour in two weeks in Miami! Thank you to the tournament for giving me this opportunity and I can’t wait to get back on the field and compete. We will see each other soon”.
DISQUALIFICATION
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Halep has not played a match since the 2022 US Open, a tournament in which she was found positive for Roxadustat (a drug against anemia) which was followed by an irregularity found in a biological passport test. In that edition of the New York Slam, the Romanian tennis player was number 7 in the world and was eliminated in the first round by Daria Snigur: now she is clearly without a ranking, the ranking still needs to be rebuilt but the impression is that she will have no problems taking part to the most important tournaments in the world.
THE RETURN TO MIAMI
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Halep has not played in Miami since 2021, when she was forced to withdraw before her second-round match due to a right shoulder problem. Her best finish in Florida is the semifinal, reached twice, in 2015 (defeat to Serena) and in 2019 (with Pliskova). There is already great curiosity in knowing who Simona’s first opponent will be in this new phase of her career, all tennis fans can’t wait to see her on the court: the news of the reduction of the disqualification was welcomed with enthusiasm by many insiders. Darren Cahill, Jannik Sinner’s coach and a fundamental figure in Halep’s career, wrote on social media: “Integrity, honesty and fighting to the core: you are pure class, Simo. Welcome back to where you belong.”
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