Simona Halep has announced her withdrawal from the upcoming Madrid Open, citing ongoing health issues.
The Romanian Grand Slam champion expressed her regret at being unable to participate in the tournament which comes more than a month after she returned to the game after a doping ban.
Halep, 32, a former world number said she was disappointed. “I still have not fully recovered enough to play a high-level tournament such as Madrid,” she stated. “It’s a difficult decision, but I must prioritize my health and well-being.”
Halep had not played since testing positive for the banned drug roxadustat at the 2022 U.S. Open. She professed her innocence and blamed it on a contaminated supplement.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport cut the four-year ban Halep received in 2023 to nine months. The suspension was over on time served, effectively.
The decision is a setback for both Halep and her fans, who were eagerly anticipating her return to competitive play. Having struggled with injuries in the past, Halep has been struggling to regain her fitness to compete in top-level tennis.
The Madrid Open, a key event on the ATP and WTA tours, will proceed but Halep’s absence deprives tennis enthusiasts worldwide.
As Halep continues her rehabilitation, the tennis community rallies behind her, sending messages of support and encouragement. Fans are confident that her determination and resilience will help her navigate this challenging period.
Halep took a main draw wildcard into the Oeiras, and everything went according to plan until she began to feel pain and stiffness in her knee. She decided to skip Oeiras as a preventive measure.
Halep said in a statement posted on her Instagram Story: “Change of plans! My body is telling me it needs more time to adjust to being back in full training. I don’t want to rush as I make my comeback so I won’t be playing in Oeiras next week.”
