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What’s next for Simona Halep after her return to tennis?

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Simona Halep wasn’t sure what to expect at her first tournament in 18 months this week at the Miami Open. Following a tough first-round loss in three sets to Paula Badosa, the former World No. 1 and three-time major champion still managed to keep a smile on her face.

“Someone told me, ‘If I get $1 for your every smile, I will be rich at the end of the day,'” Halep told WTA Insider. “I smiled a lot because I get so much love from people.”

Simona Halep returns from an overturned doping ban with a loss to Paula Badosa at the Miami Open | KSL.com

Earlier this month, Halep was cleared to return to tennis with immediate effect after her four-year ban for an anti-doping violation was reduced to nine months as a result of her recent appeal to the Court for Arbitration for Sport.

Eager to get back to action as soon as possible, Halep scrambled to get ready to play Miami, where she was given a main-draw wild card.

“When I entered the first time on the court, I told the guys that I was with, and it seemed like I never left,” Halep said. “So I have a good feeling coming back. I love tennis, so probably this makes it easier.”

Halep spoke to WTA Insider after her Miami return to discuss her emotions surrounding her return to tennis, what she has in store for her comeback and why her love for the sport never wavered.

WTA Insider: How were the emotions and nerves for you as you prepared for your return?

Halep: Actually, when I was on the plane, I told my mom that I was super nervous because I didn’t know what to expect from people. When you have such a difficult period, you don’t know how people will see it or treat you.

But the first day, it was incredible. So then the stress went out and I didn’t stress myself in this direction. I knew that on the court it’s going to be good. The crowd was incredible today again. So the love I received, it’s even more than anything that I had until now.

WTA Insider: Now that you’ve played a competitive match, what do you think you need to work on to get yourself back to the level you’re used to?

Halep: Honestly, I don’t have a very clear idea of what I didn’t do well today and what I did wrong. I know that I missed some balls that normally I should not. But honestly, I feel I played the good tennis.

So, firstly, I need a coach to guide me a little bit. I’m waiting for Carlos Martinez and to start with him. We set up a trial period. He worked with Svetlana [Kuznetsova], my friend and favorite tennis player. I admire his work. So, hopefully, we get very well along, and we’re going to do some good results.

But firstly, I need to talk to him and he needs to see me to tell me where I am because alone, it’s difficult to set your level.

Simona Halep to face Paula Badosa in Miami opener, Iga Swiatek seeks Sunshine Double | Tennis News - Hindustan Times

WTA Insider: When you got the decision from CAS, what was your reaction?

Halep: I was talking to my lawyers and I was just smiling. I told them, “Guys, the decision is correct.” I was so happy. I had tears after I finished the call with them. I was just happy that the truth came out and the decision was fair.

So, 18 months of stress were finished, and I was now able to go play tennis. Because the most difficult thing was that I was not able to go to watch a tennis match. This was a disaster for a tennis player. Because I was suspended, I could not even watch a tennis match [at a tournament]. So it was difficult.

WTA Insider: Did find yourself resenting the sport?

Halep: No, I didn’t have that darkness. People were supporting me from the first day until the last one. Seeing that the opponents supported me and they believed that I was clean gave me strength and gave me the positive to keep fighting. So no, I didn’t have that.

One person, a very important person to me, told me that I should not hate tennis because tennis did not give me this difficult period. I was thinking about it, and I said, yeah, tennis is still my passion. I love to do this, and I will be back when I have the right decision.

Five strong crosscourt winners from Badosa and Halep's first-round match

WTA Insider: So now what?

Halep: I don’t know [laughs]. This was so fast.

To be honest, I was thinking that I would come back on clay to have a little bit of time to take a breath and settle down. But the positive feeling was so big, and I had some people around me who told me you have to go to feel the energy again.

It was the right decision, the best decision to come to Miami, to feel the energy, to feel the love of people and to feel the freedom again.

WTA Insider: How will you plan your comeback?

Halep: I don’t have a plan. It’s just the first tournament, and I don’t know what the plan is going to be, but I want to play as much as possible to get the rhythm back.

I’m old. I’m not that young anymore and I have to manage the comeback very well. I don’t want to get injured. Most people told me to be worried about it because 18 months is a lot and I have to take it slow. So I have to talk to Carlos and we’re going to decide together, for sure.

Simona Halep loses first match after doping ban as Paula Badosa rallies back in Miami

WTA Insider: What are you looking forward to the most right now?

Halep: I just want to enjoy the joy that I have. It’s been incredible this week. Even if I lost first round, it doesn’t matter. It’s not about tennis these days. It’s about my personal feelings, how I feel as a human being, and I feel great.

So I want to keep this feeling, and I want it to help me in future tournaments because I know I’m very excited now, but there are going to be moments when I will be like, “Why am I here?” So it’s going to be difficult, in a way, but I want to make it easier by enjoying playing tennis.

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Shirtless Novak Djokovic heads out for a jog on the beach

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After withdrawing from Miami Open following shock defeat by No. 123 Luca Nardi

Shirtless Novak Djokovic headed out for a jog on Miami Beach on Monday morning.

Shirtless Novak Djokovic headed out for a jog on Miami Beach on Monday morning - after pulling out of the Miami Open

The tennis player, 36, showed off his muscular physique as he got some light exercise in.

It comes after losing in the third round at Indian Wells, top-ranked athlete Novak announced he would skip the Miami Open this year

The Serbian player announced his decision on Saturday following his 6-4, 3-5, 6-3 defeat to No 123 Luca Nardi at the BNP Paribas Open on Monday.

While out on his jog he wore blue swimming trunks and had a silver chain around his neck.

The tennis player, 36, showed off his muscular physique as he got some light exercise in on the sand

Nardi, 20, became the lowest-ranked player to beat Djokovic in a Grand Slam or ATP Masters 1000 level event.

The last player to hold the feat was No. 122 Kevin Anderson in Miami in 2008.

‘Unfortunately I won’t be playing the Miami Open this year,’ Djokovic wrote. ‘At this stage of my career, I’m balancing my private and professional schedule.

‘I’m sorry that I won’t experience some of the best and most passionate fans in the world. I’m looking fw competing in MI in future!’

It comes after losing in the third round at Indian Wells, top-ranked athlete Novak announced he would skip the Miami Open this year

Before losing to Nardi, Djokovic secured a 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 win over Aleksandar Vukic in the second round.

Nardi got into the field as a ‘lucky loser’ – the title used for players who stumble in qualifying rounds but enter the main draw by replacing a player who pulls out before the first round.

Despite sitting out the tournament this year, Djokovic has won the Miami Open six times. The hard-court tournament will begin next week.

After winning seven singles titles in 2023, Djokovic is still searching for his first championship this year to add to the 98 in his career.

Nardi, 20, (right) became the lowest-ranked player to beat Djokovic in a Grand Slam or ATP Masters 1000 level event
Nardi, 20, (right) became the lowest-ranked player to beat Djokovic in a Grand Slam or ATP Masters 1000 level event

Additionally, he has collected $181,599,018 in prize money since 2007.

Novak is married to wife Jelena. The pair have two children, Stefan, born in 2014, and Tara, born in 2017.

They first met at their Serbian high school in the late 90s, however, they didn’t officially start dating until 2005.

The pair got engaged in September 2013 and officially tied the knot back in July 2014.

The wedding was held at Aman Sveti Stefani in 2014, just days after Novak won his second Wimbledon title.

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Emma Raducanu withdraws from Miami Open with lower back injury

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Britain’s Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the Miami Open with a lower back injury – but her management company say the issue is “nothing serious”.

The 21-year-old was due to face China’s Wang Xiyu in the first round on Tuesday.

However, she does not want to risk aggravating the injury by playing in the tournament in the United States.

Emma Raducanu on court at Indian Wells

It is a blow to Raducanu’s comeback following an injury-disrupted 2023 season.

“I have been experiencing lower back pain and at this stage of my return to competition I don’t want to risk anything happening,” Raducanu said in a statement issued by tournament organisers.

“I really tried my best to be ready and I’m sad to be pulling out of Miami as it’s a cool tournament, but wish the event all the best.”

The 2021 US Open champion was beaten in straight sets by world number two Aryna Sabalenka in the third round at Indian Wells last week.

It is not known whether the injury will impact Raducanu’s selection in Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup squad for their qualifying-round tie with France from 12-13 April.

Before her defeat by two-time Australian Open winner Sabalenka, Raducanu had recorded back-to-back victories for the first time since winning three in a row at Indian Wells 12 months ago.

She made her return to the tour in January following an eight-month absence, during which she had operations on both of her wrists and her left ankle.

Now ranked 288th in the world, Raducanu – who was given a wildcard for the Miami Open – said earlier this month she was “not too concerned” about results as her focus this year is on developing her game.

Meanwhile, Britons Andy Murray, Cameron Norrie, Dan Evans, Jack Draper and Katie Boulter are preparing to start their tournaments in Miami.

Murray, a two-time winner in Florida, will face Italian Matteo Berrettini in the first round on Wednesday, with the winner taking on Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the second round.

Draper, 22, takes on Taro Daniel of Japan, while 33-year-old Evans faces Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego.

British number ones Norrie and Boulter play on Friday, as the pair have both received first-round byes as two of the 32 men’s and women’s seeded players.

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