Simona Halep has been granted a wild-card entry to the main draw of the upcoming Madrid Open, marking her second tournament appearance since her doping suspension was reduced on appeal. The organizers of the clay-court event also extended wild cards to former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, seasoned player Kei Nishikori, and 18-year-old Martín Landaluce on the men's side.
Halep, a two-time Grand Slam champion and previous Madrid Open winner in 2016 and 2017, recently made her return to professional tennis at the Miami Open. In her first match after a hiatus of about 1 1/2 years, she faced a defeat against Paula Badosa with a score of 1-6, 6-4, 6-3. The Court of Arbitration for Sport had initially imposed a four-year doping ban on Halep in 2023, which was later reduced to nine months in early March.
Expressing her gratitude for the wild-card opportunity, Halep conveyed her appreciation to the Madrid Open organizers for the chance to participate in a tournament that holds special significance for her. She expressed excitement about creating new memories at the event, emphasizing her eagerness to return to the court. The Madrid Open is scheduled to commence on April 23, offering fans and players alike a platform for competitive tennis and memorable experiences.
