The organizers of the Brisbane International suffered a double blow after top seed Simona Halep and third seed Maria Sharapova withdrew from the competition due to injury.
Halep was on course for an intriguing second round encounter with two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka. The world No.2 has withdrawn from the competition due to a left leg injury. The precise issue is an inflamed left Achilles tendon, which is a similar issue to what she suffered from last summer. During her press conference, Halep admitted that the injury has been bothering her for the past couple weeks and it has affected her running ability. Despite the setback, she remains optimistic about playing in Sydney next week.
“I thought I was ready, but I can’t do a full match. I hope I will be able to play Sydney’. Halep said.
“I did an MRI and it’s nothing dangerous, but it’s still an inflammation,”
Halep also spoke about her goal of winning her first Grand Slam title this year. The Romanians’ best performance in a Grand Slam event was at the 2014 French Open when she reached the final.
“It’s my goal (to win a major),” she said. “I believe that I have chances, but I have to work hard. I have to be concentrated for what I have to do, to be relaxed, because if I’m relaxed I know I can play better tennis.”
Meanwhile, injury-plagued Sharapova withdrew from the event due to a left forearm injury. It is understood that the defending champion in Brisbane injured her arm during a recent practice session.
“I hurt my forearm in practice a couple days ago and need to precautionary withdraw with the Australian Open starting soon,” she said in a statement. “This is such a special event for me, especially being the defending champion. I’m looking forward to seeing all my fans in Brisbane next year.”
This in not the first time that this injury has forced the Russian out of competition. At last year’s Wuhan Open she withdrew during her match against Barbora Strycova due to the same issue.
The double withdrawal means that Spanish world No.3 Garbine Muguruza is the highest ranked player left in the draw.
