The organizers of the tournament in Rome were asked about the chances for Simona Halep (32 years old) to receive a wildcard for the main draw.
Returning to the circuit after being cleared of the doping suspension, Simona Halep played only one official match in 2024, a defeat against Paula Badosa in the first round of the Miami Open.
Although she received wildcards, Simona Halep withdrew successively from the tournaments in Oieras and Madrid, as well as from the Ukraine - Romania match in the Billie Jean King Cup. The international press announced Simona Halep as one of the strong contenders to receive an invitation to the main draw at Foro Italico, but things are not quite like that, according to the organizers.
Simona will not take part in the tournament she won in 2020. Officials explained what will happen with the two remaining available wildcards.
"The policy of the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation is mainly to grant wildcards to Italian players. Also, to athletes who do not have a ranking to enter the main draw by right. All the invitations for the tournament in Rome have been granted," said Francesca Paoletti, the press officer of the Italian Tennis Federation, according to iAMsport.ro.
Furthermore, Alessandro Mastroluca, a member of the communication department of the Italian Tennis Federation, confirmed that the chances for Simona Halep to receive a wildcard at Foro Italico are slim. "The wildcards are the ones announced. There are still two more available, it's true, but they will be granted to players who will be finalists of a pre-qualifying tournament."