Simona Halep on her struggles following doping ban: “I miss the competition”

Simona Halep, the two-time Grand Slam champion, has recently adjusted her schedule after a significant period away from the sport. Originally facing a four-year ban due to a doping suspension following the 2022 US Open, Halep appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. At the start of this season, her suspension was shortened to nine months, enabling her to return to professional tennis sooner than initially anticipated.

However, the Romanian’s full return to the Tour was frustrated, as since her suspension was lifted in March this year, she has only played two events. She returned at the Miami Open after 19 months and fell in the first round to Paula Badosa, 6-1, 4-6, 3-6, in a more than respectable performance.

After her initial comeback to the WTA Tour, Simona Halep had to withdraw from her second appearance at the WTA 125 event in Paris. She was forced to retire during her match against Miranda Kessler with the score at 7-5, 2-3 in her favor due to a knee injury. Since that withdrawal, Halep has not returned to competitive tennis.

When Simona Halep received her suspension, she was ranked No. 6 in the world, having recently won the 2022 Canadian Open. However, her extended absence from the sport led to her dropping out of the rankings. Currently, after participating in only two tournaments since her return, she is ranked No. 1135.

Due to her low ranking, Simona Halep is struggling to gain entry into main draws and relies on receiving wildcards to compete in WTA Tour events. She has recently shared an update regarding her plans for her next tournament but has acknowledged that she is not yet physically fit to return to top-level competition.

Simona Halep has indicated that she plans to compete in a tournament in Hong Kong at the end of October. However, she noted that her return is contingent on her recovery from a knee injury. Halep expressed her desire to play again, emphasizing her eagerness to return to the sport if she is healthy and fit enough.