Tennis influencer Rachel Stuhlmann has predicted that Simona Halep could win this year's US Open, as the player awaits the verdict over whether or not she can play at the Grand Slam.

Former world No. 1 Halep has certainly had some ups and downs over the last few years. The Romanian player won the French Open in 2018 before lifting the trophy at Wimbledon in 2019.

However, her career has been marred by controversy recently after it was announced that she had tested positive for the banned substance roxadustat at the 2022 US Open.

Halep received a provisional suspension and has been unable to play in tournaments since October last year. However, her name was present on the entry list for this year's Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows, with an asterisk next to it confirming that her appearance is dependent on her being found innocent before the tournament begins.

Speaking on the latest episode of her podcast Overserved, Stuhlmann praised the 31-year-old, saying "It's really good to hear that she's back playing in the US Open. I really like her and I would love to see her just come out just like with a chip on her shoulder and just going forward at the US Open."

She then went to predict a possible victory for Halep at the major:

"And she could walk away with the title. I mean her game is one of the best," she said.

Unfortunately, Stuhlmann's comments may not come true, as Halep is still unsure if she really is going to be back for the US Open or not. She is currently waiting for the verdict from Sports Resolutions, an independent tribunal in London, about her failed doping test last year. Halep has also been charged with a second doping breach for irregularities in her Athlete Biological Passport.

Indeed, some have taken a much more pessimistic view of the tennis star's future in the sport. Speaking to PRO TV, the president of the Romanian Tennis Federation George Cosac has claimed that the ITIA doesn't want to damage their reputation by finding her innocent.

"If you ask me, no," he said about Halep's chances of playing again soon, "If she is innocent, she can claim damages of millions of euros, while she did not play. And if she were clean, they would sanction her because they would lose their whole image. They will give her a minimum suspension to cover the situation they created."