Simona Halep received important news from the TAS (Tribunal of Arbitration for Sport) on Tuesday: her 4-year ban for doping was reduced to 9 months. Under these conditions, the former WTA leader can immediately return to WTA tournaments.

>> Simona Halep’s reaction after TAS reported that she can return to the tennis court

In theory, Simona Halep can return to WTA Miami – Virtually the clay season is a goal to consider

Halep (32 years old) did not play tennis for almost a year and a half, she was temporarily disqualified on October 21, 2022.

According to the decision of the TAC, Simona Halep can immediately return to the tennis court, and the first tournament in which she could play (at least in theory) is the Miami Open of the WTA 1000 category, which will be held on March 19-31.

However, to be able to take part, Simona needs a wild card as she has disappeared from the WTA rankings after so many months of absence.

So far, the organizers from Miami have announced the involvement of three wild cards, which will go to the Grand Slam champions: Emma Redukana, Venus Williams and Caroline Wozniacki.

There will be 5 more wild cards up for grabs, it remains to be seen if Simone will ask for one and to what extent the American organizers will offer her one.

Miami Open 2024 will be held from March 17 to 31, 2024 on hard, is included in the “Masters 1000” category, and the champions of the title were Daniil Medvedev and Petra Kvitova.

The real target, however, could be the clay season, given Halep’s remarkable results on this playing surface.

If she wants to compete again in the smaller tournaments, Simona has two options next term, both on clay: San Luis Open (Mexico, category WTA 125 / March 25-31) and Antalya (Turkey, category WTA 125). , / March 26-31).

Before a possible appearance at the WTA 500 tournament in Stuttgart (April 15-21), Simona still has options: La Bisbal D’Emporda (Spain – clay, WTA 125, April 1-7), Charleston (USA – clay, WTA 500 , April 1-7) and Bogotá (Colombia – clay, WTA 250, April 1-7).

In the same week as in Stuttgart, there will also be tournaments in Oieras (Portugal – clay, WTA 125, April 15-21) and Rouen (France – clay, WTA 250, April 15-21).

Only from this moment we can talk about really important tournaments of the “red season”: Madrid (WTA 1000, April 23 – May 5), Rome (WTA 1000, May 7 – 19) and Roland Garros (Grand Slam, May 26). – June 9).

>> ITIA and Simona Halep clarification: “We respect the player’s right to appeal, as well as the result”

What you need to know about Simona Halep’s doping case

• The news that Simona Halep was temporarily suspended for doping appeared on Friday, October 21, 2022.

• Simona’s case was heard by Sport Resolutions, an independent tribunal in London that hears doping cases in white sport.

• Halep was suspended for 4 years for two separate violations of the Tennis Anti-Doping Program (TADP): the presence and use of the substance roxadustat in a urine sample collected after an anti-doping test conducted at the 2022 US Open (1) and a violation of her biological passport (2).

• Halep was heard at the CAS on February 7-9, 2024.

• The Swiss court said that the ex-leader of the WTA asked to cancel the decision of the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) and “reduce” its sanctions.

• On August 29, 2022, Simona Halep played her last official match on the world circuit. At the US Open, in the inaugural round, our athlete unexpectedly defeated Daria Snigur (at that time, 124th place in the WTA, based on the qualification).