Former world number one Simona Halep says she must remain patient after her latest return to the WTA Tour ended in a straight sets defeat.
Halep, 33, was playing only her second match at the top level since being allowed to compete again following a doping ban.
The two-time Grand Slam champion returned to competition at the Miami Open in March after an initial four-year stint. was reduced to nine months.
The 6-3 6-3 loss at the Hong Kong Tennis Open to China’s Yung Yae, ranked 45th in the world, was Halep’s first outing on the tour since Miami due to a knee injury.
“My level was not bad at all but the opponent played very well and had confidence,” said Halep, who played two matches in a second division Challenger tournament in late September.
“I’m not happy with the way I played but it was much better than the previous match.”
Ranked 883rd in the world, Halep is banking on securing wildcards into the tournament as she looks to rebuild her career.
Halep, who won the French Open in 2018 and Wimbledon in 2019, has always maintained her innocence after being accused of two separate doping offenses.
Although his case was partially upheld, the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that Halep “on the balance of probabilities” had not intentionally taken roxadustat – an anti-anemia drug that stimulates the production of red blood cells in the body.
Cas also dismissed a second accusation regarding irregularities found in his biological athlete passport.
Regarding his upcoming plans, Halep said: “It depends on the wildcards, but I just want to work harder because I need a stronger body to perform at this level.
“I’m going to take it slowly. I have to give myself patience and try to improve day by day.”
