Simona Halep will play competitively for the first time since the Tropheé Clarins back in May as she gears up for a full return at the end of the 2024 season. She will fly to Hong Kong and will play the WTA 125 next week.
She will also play the WTA 250 next month between October 28 to November 3. But she will now return even earlier to the country and the announcement comes as the former World No.1 turned 33 yesterday.
It has not been the return that she would've hoped for with Halep struggling to maintain fitness and also has not been afforded the luxuries of wildcards after her doping ban. She had a four-year doping ban reduced to nine months earlier this season.
She made a swift return at the Miami Open but her comeback was then derailed by a knee injury. She then played in Paris at the WTA 125 and was forced to retire midway through the first round against McCartney Kessler.
Since then, it has only been an exhibition back in Romania for Halep. But she has been working in the background and will play the Hong Kong Tennis 125 which starts on Monday as she aims to gauge her current fitness levels and will follow the route of the likes of Svitolina and even Osaka to an extent of playing smaller tournaments to gain ranking points. She is more likely to be afforded wildcards for small tournaments given her status in the game.
"I figured today was a great day to share the great news that I will be back on the court sooner than expected," said Halep.
"I will be flying to Hong Kong tomorrow to compete in the WTA125
Hong Kong Open. Big thanks to the tournament for the wildcard and I cannot wait to see you all there."