Former Wimbledon champion Simona Halep has been given a wildcard at this month’s Madrid Open as she continues her comeback from a doping ban.
Halep, 32, returned to the WTA Tour final month after her four-year ban was decreased to 9 months on enchantment.
The Romanian was free to return instantly and was given a wildcard for the Miami Open, the place she misplaced to Spain’s Paula Badosa in spherical one.
Madrid would be the two-time Grand Slam champion’s second event again.
“Muchas gracias for this wildcard alternative,” Halep posted on X.
“Madrid has all the time been a particular event for me, with glad reminiscences and I am grateful to have the ability to make extra.”
The Madrid Open begins on 22 April and concludes on 5 Could.
Former French Open champion Halep is a two-time winner of the clay-court occasion, which is a part of the WTA 1,000 sequence and one of many main tournaments outdoors the 4 Grand Slams.
It is likely one of the key pillars of the European clay-court season, which culminates on the French Open in June.
Former world primary Caroline Wozniacki, who returned in August after having two youngsters, has additionally obtained a wildcard, together with Japan’s injury-hit Kei Nishikori and Spanish teenager Martin Landaluce within the males’s singles.
In the meantime, the ATP has introduced the Madrid Open will launch the trial of a brand new males’s doubles format which the governing physique says goals to “enhance the publicity and advertising and marketing enchantment”.
The key change will see 16 spots within the 32-team draw being given to pairs made up of singles gamers.
There will even be a streamlined five-day schedule for the occasion, whereas time between photographs and changeovers shall be decreased in an try to hurry up matches.