Simona Halep has a ‘50/50’ chance of playing at the French Open after a hospital scan revelled that she has torn a ligament in her ankle.
The world No.4 is one of the favourites to lift the title in Roland Garros. At the Madrid Open she dropped just two sets on route to successfully defending her title. A week later she progressed to the final of the Rome Open before losing in three sets to Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina.
It was during that Rome final where Halep suffered the injury to her ankle. Prior to the start of the second set, the Romanian had a tumble on the court. At the time she received medical attention, but continued to play.
“I had pain. I had pain and I still have pain when I walk.” Halep said during her post-match press conference.
Seen with an ice pack strapped to her right foot shortly after the final, a recent scan has discovered that Halep has torn a ligament.
“The MRI scan shows a torn ligament from the fall in Roma. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for RG and will do everything possible to be ready. Doctors say it’s 50/50 at the moment but it’s made good improvement since Sunday. “ She wrote in a statement.
So far this season Halep has won 12 out of 14 WTA matches played on the clay. A former French Open finalist, she is currently the only top-5 player to win a title of the surface in 2017.
Earlier this week it was announced that Eugenie Bouchard was also a doubt for Roland Garros after injuring her ankle. Meanwhile, Caroline Wozniacki has withdrawn from the Nuremberg Open in Germany due to a back problem.
The draw for the French Open will get underway on Friday with play set to get underway on Sunday.
