Simona Halep Returns to Professional Tennis After Doping Ban Reduction

Simona Halep, the two-time Grand Slam champion, is making a comeback to professional tennis after a doping ban was reduced on appeal. Flying to Florida for the Miami Open, Halep expressed her nerves to her mother, unsure of what to expect on and off the court after being away for 1 1/2 years.

In a video interview with The Associated Press from her home in Bucharest, Romania, Halep shared her feelings of uncertainty about returning to the tennis circuit. However, upon arriving at the tournament site, she was overwhelmed by the love and support she received from the people around her, making her feel like she never left.

Halep, who once held the No. 1 ranking in 2017, is now ranked 1,144th and faces challenges in rediscovering her form and capabilities with a racket. Despite a lack of matches and questions about her fitness, Halep is determined to give her best and see how far she can go in her “second part” of her career.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled in March that Halep’s doping violation was unintentional, leading to a reduction in her ban to nine months. Now allowed to compete again, Halep is grateful for the support she has received from the tennis community, including former players like Chris Evert, Kim Clijsters, and Ash Barty.

As she embarks on her comeback journey, the 32-year-old Halep aims to find joy in competing and hopes to return to the Top 10 rankings. Despite the challenges she has faced, Halep is determined to control her emotions and handle the baggage from her suspension as she looks ahead to a new chapter in her tennis career.