Simona Halep will be the biggest name to headline the WTA 125K Trophee Clarins tournament, which will run from May 13th to 19th in Paris, France.
Halep, a two-time Grand Slam champion and winner of the 2018 French Open, will step up her preparations for potentially playing at this year’s Roland Garros by getting court time in a low-key event.
The Romanian has only played one match since resuming her career after serving a reduced suspension for doping. She was beaten by Spain’s Paula Badosa in a thrilling first-round match at the Miami Open.
Halep missed the entire 2023 season as she waited for a verdict from the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) after testing positive for the banned substance Roxadustat, which she consumed unknowingly at the 2022 US Open.
After she was given a four-year ban from the sport, she appealed the suspension at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). She was successful in shortening the suspension and has since rejoined the tour.
Halep is currently ranked outside the Top 1000 and will rely on tournament wild cards to play tour-level or 125K-level events. The Trophee Clarins, for instance, has granted her a wild card, and she will join as many as six players ranked in the world’s Top 40 who will compete there.
USA rising star Emma Navarro will be the top seed. The 22-year-old has enjoyed a breakout season, winning a maiden title in Hobart and breaking the Top 20. She also earned her first nomination into her country’s Billie Jean King Cup squad.
Halep is not the only Grand Slam champion in the field. 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens, who won in Rouen, is pursuing her second title on French soil this year.
2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez has also signed up to play in Paris at this event. British No. 1 Katie Boulter is another player looking to get some valuable minutes because of her inexperience on the surface.
