Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep was was granted a wildcard entry to the 2024 Miami Open after fighting doping violations, but British player Tara Moore who is in a similar situation was not so fortunate.
After Halep's four year ban for a failed drug test was reduced to eight months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the Romanian was offered a wildcard entry to the Miami Open. Based on her history and star power, it should be expected that Halep will receive more wildcard entries in the future as she attempts to resume her career on the WTA circuit.
Moore facing a different route back to the tour
British player Moore was ranked World No.77 when she was provisionally banned after testing positive for nandrolone metabolites and boldenone in Bogota in May 2022. Moore maintained she was innocent, and after 19 months of arbitration, an independent tribunal found that she "bore no fault or negligence" as she had ingested the drugs through contaminated meat.
Despite her innocence however, Moore was not granted any wildcard entries into any events, unlike Halep or Maria Sharapova, who returned from a 15-month drugs ban in 2017 and was handed entries to several events. Therefore, the 31-year old Briton will have to work her way back onto the Tour and is relying on crowdfunding in order to assist with her costs and expenses.
Earlier this week, a WTA spokesperson told Reuters that the WTA is considering introducing special rankings for returning players who have been cleared of doping offences. The BBC reported in January that the ITIA is challenging the ruling in Moore’s case. The Briton is currently training ahead of her return.
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