‘Feels like I never left’ – Halep back on court

Simona Halep posted a video on Wednesday of her practicing on the courts of the upcoming Miami Open in what will be her first competitive appearance since winning an appeal over a doping suspension.
The Romanian former world number one had her four-year doping ban cut to nine months by the top court for global sport last week, making her eligible to return to competition immediately.
“Feels like I never left,” Halep wrote in an Instagram story with a winking emoji.
“First day back, thank you @miamiopen.”
The 32-year-old Halep, a former Wimbledon and French Open champion, was suspended in October 2022 after she tested positive for roxadustat – a banned drug that stimulates the production of red blood cells – at the US Open that year.
She was also charged with another doping offence last year due to irregularities in her Athlete Biological Passport (ABP), a method designed to monitor different blood parameters over time to reveal potential doping.
“I am thrilled to let you all know that I will be making my return to the WTA Tour in two weeks at the Miami Open,” Halep wrote on Instagram prior to her first training session.
“Thank you to the tournament for giving me this opportunity and I cannot wait to be back on court and competing.
“See you all soon!”
Miami will be Halep’s first tournament since the 2022 US Open.
Halep, who vigorously denied the charges against her, said that she would most likely have been compelled to retire if the initial four-year ban was maintained.
“This ordeal has been a testament to resilience,” Halep said on Instagram after the announcement by CAS last week. “The triumph of truth is a bittersweet vindication that, albeit delayed, is immensely gratifying... In the midst of this challenging journey, my unwavering belief in the integrity of the truth and in the principles of justice has been my beacon.
“Looking forward, I am eager to turn this page and rejoin the tour with renewed vigour and an invigorated spirit,” Halep added.
Halep reached the pinnacle of the sport twice, holding the world No. 1 ranking for a total of 64 weeks.
Renowned for her aggressive counterpunching style, she’s captured two Grand Slam titles: the 2018 French Open and the 2019 Wimbledon Championships.
Her dominance is evident with 24 WTA Tour singles titles and a historic six titles in a single year (2013). Injuries have challenged her recently, but her talent and dedication are undeniable.
The hugely popular Miami Open runs March 17-31.