15 Years After Tasting Glory in Paris, Simona Halep Hints at More of the Same as She Nears Her Comeback

It has been more than 470 days and still counting. The 2 time Grand Slam champion, Simona Halep has been out of action since the US Open which was held last year. Everyone is eagerly waiting to see her back on the court. When will she make a comeback? Well, Simona Halep recently posted a picture hinting at a return to the same place where she kick-started her career 15 years ago.

Well, every cloud has a silver lining. After having a tumultuous run over the last few months. Finally, her fans can see a ray of hope through her Instagram post. 

Simona Halep hints at a return to one of the biggest stages of the game

If things go well, we could see her back again very soon. She recently recalled her heroics from her only Grand Slam title at the junior level in the Roland Garros in 2008. Halep posted a picture of her spending her vacation in Paris. The 32-year-old was seen sitting against a backdrop of the mesmerizing Parisian skyline on a couch which looked quite similar to the color of the courts in this part of the world. She wrote, ‘Ready to come back from where everything started. Roland Garros juniors 2008. Merci beaucoup (thank you so much) Paris.’

Notably, this was the same place where the 16-year-old Simona Halep made her mark on the biggest stages of the game. During this period, the tennis world witnessed the rise of the Romanian icon who later went on to clinch 24 career titles in women’s singles. She has been ranked world number one twice in the women’s singles during 2017-2019. Can she make a comeback to the zenith yet again?

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Halep is currently serving a 4-year ban from professional tennis due to the violations of anti-doping policies. The former number one was suspended from competing in October last year after testing positive for a banned substance, Roxadustat at the US Open in 2022. Her suspension was upheld in September this year and as things stand as of now, she’ll be out of action till October 2023. But she has already confronted the decision and has also appealed to the CAS (Court of Arbitration).

Halep’s battle ‘off the court’

If the suspension stands, the 32YO Halep would turn 35 in 2026. To make a comeback at the higher levels of the game would become tougher for her then. She has strongly denied knowingly taking the banned substance and has been fighting for her stand ever since the announcement. CAS recently gave an official statement, saying the proceedings have already begun.

Meanwhile, Simona Halep has decided to leave Romania and relocate to Dubai, UAE. She has to now wait for the final verdict from the authorities on her 48-month suspension. Halep once used to feature in the top 5 regularly. Can she bring back her glorious days from the past?

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