Former world No 1 Halep to begin tennis comeback at WTA 125 tournament in Hong Kong
Simona Halep a surprise entry into the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis 125 tournament starting at Victoria Park on Monday
Former world No 1 Simona Halep will make a surprise return to competitive tennis in Hong Kong, after nearly two years away from the sport.
The double grand slam winner had a four-year doping ban reduced to nine months earlier this season, allowing her to return almost immediately, but after a brief appearance at the Miami Open had that comeback derailed by a knee injury.
Competing at the Trophee Clarins tournament in Paris in May, the 33-year-old 2018 French Open and 2019 Wimbledon champion, was forced to retire midway through her first round match against McCartney Kessler.
Now though, the Romanian, who was the world’s best for a total of 64 weeks between 2017 and 2019, is fit and has been handed a wild-card entry for the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis 125, which starts at Victoria Park on Monday.
“I’m excited to be making my return to action in Hong Kong,” Halep said. “It has been a while since I stepped on the match court, but I’m feeling great so I’m really looking forward to getting back out there.”
Organisers are hoping for a strong field, although officials previously said that confirmation of who exactly would play depended on early results at the China Open in Beijing.
