Melbourne, Dec 19 (AP) Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep, who is making a comeback after serving a doping suspension, and Cruz, the 16-year-old son of former tennis legend Leighton Hewitt, are among the players expected to compete in the Australian Open next month. Wild card has been given for qualifying for Open Tennis Tournament.
Romania’s 33-year-old Halep won the French Open in 2018 and Wimbledon in 2019. She was once the world number one player but is currently ranked 877th. Halep, who was the runner-up at the Australian Open in 2018, has not participated in any Grand Slam tournament after 2022.
Other players who have been given wild cards for the Australian Open qualifying matches to be held from January 6 to 9 include Chris Eubank, Dan Evans and Bernard Tomich, who will reach the quarter-finals of Wimbledon in 2023 in the men’s category, while Paris in the women’s category. Olympic doubles gold medalists Sara Errani, Petra Martić and Anna Konjuh.
The main draw matches of the Australian Open will be played from January 12.
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