World No.3 Simona Halep has confirmed that she will delay her nose operation to participate in this weekend’s Fed Cup competition.
Halep was scheduled to be sidelined from the tour for a month due to undergoing an operation to treat Deviated Septum. The procedure has now been delayed by Halep, who plans to play in Romania’s Fed Cup tie against defending champions the Czech Republic. According to tvr.ro, Halep was given the all clear to return to action by doctors as long as they can monitor her. The confirmation of Halep’s Fed Cup attendance, has been welcomed by the captain of Romania’s Fed Cup team.
“It’s a great advantage to have Simona Halep in our team,” Romania captain Alina Tecsor said.
“But let’s not forget that the Czech Republic has a strong team, with players in the top 10, so chances are somehow equal”.
Following the Fed Cup, Halep will be hoping to participate in the Dubai Open in two weeks time to defend her title. The 24-year-old is hoping that she will be awarded a wildcard from the tournament after missing registration for the event. Under WTA regulations, tournaments can offer up to two wildcards to players ranked in the top 20.
Halep has also pledged to play at Indian Wells. Due to her commitments, sources at onlinesport.ro has reported that Halep will now undergo the operation during a break in July, just before the Olympic Games.
The 24-year-old has endured a mixed start to the season after suffering from a series of stomach, nose and ear infections as well as an Achilles injury. At her first tournament of the year, the Brisbane International, she reached the semifinals before losing to eventual champion Svetlana Kuznetsova. Then at the Australian Open she was stunned in the first round by China’s Zhang Shuai.
