Reigning Wimbledon champion Simona Halep says she is now pain-free following a foot injury but is still yet to return to a tennis court.
The world No.2 last played a tournament at the Dubai Tennis Championships, where she defeated Elena Rybrakina to claim her 20th WTA title. However, following that she announced her withdrawal from tournaments in Doha and Indian Wells due to a foot injury. Indian Wells was later cancelled due to the covid-19 pandemic. An MRI scan concluded that the Romanian had tendinitis and inflammation in her foot.
Despite the setback, Halep has now returned back to running as her condition improves. Branding it as a ‘big positive,’ she gave no indication as to when she will try to pick up a racket again. Halep is currently in lockdown in her home country.
“The foot looks good and I have started to run already.” She said in a video uploaded to Twitter.
“I don’t feel any pain at all. I haven’t started to play tennis yet but being able to do the training means a lot and gives me a big positive.’”
During a recent interview with Eurosport’s Tennis Legends Vodcast, the 28-year-old confirmed that she hasn’t picked up a racket since February. Describing it as ‘the longest period’ where she hasn’t touched a racket.
It is unclear as to when Halep and her rivals will be returning to the tour. All tennis tournaments have been suspended until July 13th due to Covid-19, but many fear that the suspension will be extended further due to the threat of the virus. According to the latest figures, there have been more than 1.3 million cases of coronavirus world wide.
“I miss my team, I miss the players, I miss the tournaments, I miss everyone from the Tour,” she said
“I know it’s bit tough for everybody, this period.
“But if we stay home, if we stay strong and positive it will help a lot. I can’t wait to travel again, I can’t wait to play tennis again and I can’t wait to see you.”
Prior to the suspension, Halep has started 2020 by winning 10 out of 12 matches played on the tour. Besides Dubai, she also reached the quarter-finals in Adelaide and the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
https://twitter.com/Simona_Halep/status/1247220301936627713
