(VIDEO) Simona Halep back on practice courts for first time in 2024 as appeal hearing closes in

Simona Halep won't play at the 2024 Australian Open, but is back on hard courts ahead of her appeal hearing which will take place between February 7-9 albeit without any target for a verdict to get reached so could be immediate or could take weeks. But she posted on social media her first hit of 2024 on the practice courts.

Halep could feasibly return during Indian Wells and Miami if she wins her appeal so is likely training for a potential return in the States during that period, but is also now based in the UAE with action heading to Dubai and Abu Dhabi in particular after Australia.

Halep tested positive for the banned substance Roxudustat during the 2022 US Open and was slapped with a four year ban which she has since appealed. Patrick Mouratoglou and his coaching staff have admitted to fault with a collagen supplement seen as the cause.

But after failing to get an appeal for around a year and her career being on hold, Halep will be heard in the Court for Arbitration for Sport (CAS) as she aims to rebuild albeit with the caveat that in her own admission, she is unlikely to continue her career if she is made to go through the four year ban due to her age. But she continues to play and keep ready in case she does return.