Muchas gracias @MutuaMadridOpen for this wild card opportunity. Madrid has always been a special tournament for me, with happy memories and I'm grateful to be able to make more. See you soon ♥️🇪🇸
Simona Halep could benefit from shortcut to play Olympic Games: "We are doing everything we can"
WTASaturday, 06 April 2024 at 17:30
Simona Halep's hopes of playing in the Olympic Games were dented when it was confirmed that she has had to withdraw from the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers. But it seems like she could yet benefit from a shortcut to play in Paris after all.
A loophole which sees 59 sportswomen accepted directly to the team as well as another five through invitations, Halep could be one of those to obtain the latter. This has seemingly been endorsed by the CEO of the Romanian Tennis Federation who has started the steps.
"We are doing everything we can," the CEO of Romanian Tennis Federation, George Cosa told iAMsport.ro. "We have also started the steps, with the federation, with the Olympic Committee, with everyone. Simona can use this method. Considering that she also plays in Paris, that she was WTA No.1, that she won a Grand Slam tournament in Paris and that she went through a situation like that, she can definitely do it."
"If they told me: no, just ranking, participation in the Billie Jean King Cup and that's it, it would be one thing. But the fact that there is this loophole... we are doing everything we can for Simona," he added.
Simona Halep made her return last month at the 2024 Miami Open.
Halep was set to play the Romania tie v Ukraine in the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers next week, but withdrew due to medical reasons. Albeit she will play Rouen reportedly the week after. She needed to play similar to Emma Raducanu, Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber for instance to seal vital Olympic Games points and eligibility.
But now with the winners going straight to the finals, those chances dissipate. Apart from if she can go through the route of sealing an invitation. It could be argued that Halep couldn't go through the traditional route as she was banned initially for four years for taking substance Roxudustat.
This was changed to nine months on appeal, but it prevented her from entering any tournaments during the cycle. She last played at the Miami Open losing to Paula Badosa and is also confirmed for the Madrid Open as a wildcard.
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