Former World No.1 Simona Halep and Lleyton Hewitt’s son Cruz have been given wildcard entries for the Australian Open 2025 qualifying round. Halep, also a former champion at Wimbledon and French Open, has faced troubles after consuming the banned drug roxadustat.
Halep was suspended for four years back in 2022, after which the suspension period was increased to four years. But back in March 2024, the Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced it to nine months.
The 33-year-old then returned to the court in March where she took part in the Miami Open. Halep sounded excited on her return to Melbourne Park.
“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, who is currently ranked No.877 in the world, said.
Before taking part in the Miami Open, Halep’s last WTA event was the US Open 2022, where she crashed out in the opening round. Halep is also a former Australian Open runner-up after she lost to Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki. She also reached the quarters or better in the hard court major four other times.
Hewitt is set to follow in the remarkable footsteps of his father, Lleyton Hewitt, as he gears up for a potential Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open. The 16-year-old, also a junior world No.107, made his junior competition debut last year, but crashed out in the first round.
Senior Hewitt debuted in the majors at the age of 15 at Melbourne Park back in 1997. In November 2001, he went on to attain the No.1 ATP ranking. He won the US Open in 2022, after which he won Wimbledon in 2002.
