Former world number one Simona Halep has received a wildcard into qualifying for the Australian Open.
The 33-year-old Romanian was given a four-year doping ban, which was reduced to nine months this year.
Halep, who has maintained her innocence after being charged with two separate doping violations, returned to action in Miami in March and last competed on the WTA Tour in October in Hong Kong, where she lost in the first round.
The former French Open and Wimbledon champion is ranked 877th in the world.
Halep finished runner-up to Caroline Wozniacki in the 2018 Australian Open final.
She reached the fourth round in her most recent outing in 2022.
“I have been working hard to get ready for the 2025 season,” Halep said.
“The Australian Open has given me some of the best moments of my career, so I can’t wait to get back to Melbourne and play in front of the Australian fans.”
Sixteen-year-old Australian Cruz Hewitt will aim to emulate father Lleyton by making his Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open after being handed a qualifying wildcard.
Lleyton Hewitt, two-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one, made his big debut as a 15-year-old at Melbourne Park after passing qualifying in 1997.
Qualifying runs from January 6 to 9 and the Australian Open starts on January 12.
