Mutua Madrid Open 2024: Simona Halep and Caroline Wozniacki Granted Wild Cards
Simona Halep and Caroline Wozniacki receives wild cards for the women’s singles draw in the upcoming Mutua Madrid Open 2024 promises an exciting lineup with the inclusion of these tennis stars.
After Halep’s doping ban from 2022 was shortened by the Court of Arbitration for Sport last month, Wozniacki expressed disapproval of Halep’s wild card into the Miami Open.
With the news that Simona Halep and Caroline Wozniacki would both receive wild cards into the women’s singles draw, the Mutua Madrid Open is sure to feature two star-studded fields.
Halep posted on Instagram on Wednesday, saying, “Many thanks to @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.” Having advanced to the 2014 final, Kei Nishikori was also revealed as a wild card for the men’s singles division.
For the first time since the Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced her four-year punishment for violating the anti-doping code, Halep made her comeback to the game in March. She had lost to former world No. 2 Paula Badosa in three sets at the Miami Open.
After giving birth to two children, Wozniacki, who also entered the WTA 1000 event with a wild card, started her comeback last summer. The former No. 1 expressed disapproval of the tournament’s choice to provide Halep a wild card considering the circumstances behind her tennis absence.
Not to put Simona in the wrong, but if someone intentionally cheats or tests positive for doping, I can understand why a tournament would want a big name, but in my opinion—and this is not a criticism of anyone—people shouldn’t be given wild cards afterward. Wozniacki stated as much last month.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency first charged Halep with two anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs). during her temporary suspension that began during the 2022 US Open, Halep was sentenced to a four-year penalty in 2023.
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Halep’s ban was shortened and she was allowed to return to her professional career when it was determined that she had “no significant fault” for one of the two ADRVs and that the second, which concerned anomalies on her Athlete Biological Passport (ABP), should be thrown out.
After learning of Wozniacki’s remarks, Halep—who had earlier expressed similar disapproval of athletes who were granted wild cards following anti-doping bans—rejected suggestions that she had drugged on purpose and expressed gratitude to the Miami Open for the opportunity.
“I have hundreds of people who love me, so I will take that,” Halep remarked. “One person saying bad things about me is not that important.”
Halep is a two-time champion in Madrid, having taken first place in 2015 and then again in 2016. In 2009, the inaugural year the tournament was held at the Caja Magica, Wozniacki placed second in the WTA 1000 competition, falling to Dinara Safina in the championship match.
The dates of the 2024 Mutua Madrid Open are April 23–May 5.
