This week, Simona Halep is returning to the clay court circuit for the first time in more than two years, competing at the Trophee´Clarins on the WTA 125 circuit. Due to an injury, she was unable to attend Madrid recently, but she has been given another wildcard for next week.

Halep’s participation in the Rabat Open, which starts on May 20, may help her chances of receiving a main draw wildcard to the French Open.

The 2016 and 2017 Madrid champion Halep made her professional tennis comeback last month at the Miami Open, where she was defeated 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 by Paula Badosa in the opening round. It was her first match in around 18 months.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced Halep’s four-year doping penalty, which was imposed in 2023, to nine months in early March.

Simona Halep in 2024

Now ranked no.578, Halep played her last match on the 19^th of March when she surrendered to world no.126 Paula Badosa 1-6 6-4 6-3

in the 1^st round in Miami (draw).

Currently, during this season Halep achieved an overall 0-1 match record.

Simona Halep will play the world no.123 Mccartney Kessler in the 1^st round. In the past, they have never played each other until now in top competitions.

The Romanian won 24 titles in her career: 11 on hard courts, 9 on clay courts, 2 on indoor courts and 2 on grass courts. (See the list of her titles)