World No.1 Simona Halep enters the final grand slam of the season with an injury cloud looming over her head after withdrawing from the New Haven Open on Monday.
Halep was set to play in her third consecutive tournament in as many weeks in Connecticut, but has pulled out due to an Achilles injury. The announcement came a day after she lost to Kiki Bertens in the final of the Western and Southern Open after having a match point in her favour. Prior to playing Bertens, Halep was on a nine-match winning streak after triumphing at the Rogers Cup.
“It’s really disappointing to withdraw from a tournament. I feel tired and the Achilles was really sore (Monday) morning,” Halep said in a statement. “I won here and it’s always nice to come back but unfortunately I cannot play this year.
“It was really important as 2013, when I won it, it was one of my biggest tournaments I’d won at that moment.
“Just this morning I decided it was really tough to get on court again. I had two really great weeks. Actually, I didn’t expect those weeks to be so good so I really wanted to play here, that’s why I asked for a wild card. It’s tough to take this decision but I have to, I have to rest.”
The decision to skip Connecticut was one that was partly expected from a player who has played so many matches over the past two weeks. When asked by one reporter if her decision is a ‘blessing in disguise,‘ Halep dismissed the concept.
“For me, I didn’t pay total attention on the grand slam, I treat every tournament as important.”
Halep’s withdrawal came seven days before the start of the US Open in New York. The 26-year-old will be bidding to reach the final of the tournament for the first time in her career. Her best run was in 2015 when she reached the semifinals before falling to eventual champion Flavia Pennetta.
“I will rest for sure. Hopefully on Wednesday or Thursday I will get back onto the court. I need to physically and mentally rest. I will see day-by-day how it goes.” She commented about her preparations for the grand slam.
It is not the first time the Romanian player has been hit with Achilles problems. After winning the French Open, she took ten days off to rest a sore Achilles’ tendon. Although the issue is not expected to force her out of the US Open, Halep admits that she is ‘taking a risk’ by playing.
“I’ve had it for a long time. At the French Open I had it, I had to pull out of another tournament before Wimbledon because of it. It’s bothering me, but I have to go through it.” She explained.
“When I have the possibility to take a risk, I take a risk because it’s important.”
In the WTA rankings, Halep leads with a total of 8061 points. 2086 points more than second place Caroline Wozniacki.
The US Open will get underway on Monday.
