World No.1 Simona Halep has ended her season after withdrawing from the upcoming WTA Finals due to a back injury.
The French Open champion confirmed her withdrawal during an interview with WTA Insider’s Courtney Nguyen. In recent weeks Halep has been hampered by a back problem that has forced her out of tournaments in China and Russia. Earlier this month, an MRI concluded that she has a herniated disc.
“The decision was tough for sure,” Halep told WTA Insider about her decision. “It’s always difficult to withdraw from a big tournament. Actually, I think it’s the first time in my life. So it was a tough decision but it’s better for my health.
“Darren was 100% to withdraw because he’s worried about the back and it’s better to put the health first, always. He always did that with me since we started. So he was more sure than me that we had to pull out. Then when I heard that he agreed with this it was easier for me to take the decision.”
On Tuesday the 27-year-old pulled out of the Kremlin Cup. Casting doubts over her presence at the season-ending event. Nevertheless, Halep travelled with her coach to Singapore hopeful that she could participate. However, she has ruled herself out of the tournament because her back is still ‘sore.’
“My back is not ok. I didn’t practice for the last four weeks. I’m not ready to compete at this level and I’m still sore. It’s not easy to go on court and compete at this moment.” She explained.
Halep has featured in the WTA Finals four years in a row between 2014-2017. She has only managed to progress beyond the group stages once with a run to the final at the 2014 tournament.
The Romanian ends her season with a win-loss record of 46-11 on the tour. During 2018 Halep won her first grand slam title at the French Open after defeating Sloane Stephens in the final. She was also runner-up to Caroline at the Australian Open. Outside of the majors, she has won two titles on the WTA Tour. Triumphing at the Shenzhen Open in China and at the Canadian Open in Montreal. Halep will end the year as world No.1 regardless of what happens at next week’s WTA Finals.
Replacing Halep in the tournament with be Kiki Bertens. The world No.10 is set to be the first Dutch player to play in the event since Brenda Schultz-McCarthy back in 1997. 26-year-old Bertens is currently at a ranking high of 10th in the world. She is one of six players to have won three or more titles on the WTA Tour this season. Claiming trophies in Charleston, Cincinnati and Seoul.
The WTA Finals will get underway on Monday at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. The draw ceremony will take place on Friday.
List of qualified players
1. Angelique Kerber
2. Naomi Osaka
3. Petra Kvitova
4. Caroline Wozniacki
5. Sloane Stephens
6. Elina Svitolina
7. Karolina Pliskova
8. Kiki Bertens
