Former world No.1 Simona Halep has suffered a setback to her season after being forced to pull out of the Miami Open with a leg injury following an MRI scan.
The world No.19 has been advised to take a three-week break after a medical examination revealed that she has suffered a tear in her left leg. Although no further details were provided about the size of the tear and where exactly it is located. Halep says she has been bothered by pain since her semi-final match at Indian Wells where she lost two close sets to eventual champion Iga Swiatek.
Besides pulling out of Miami, the two-time Grand Slam champion has also decided to withdraw from the Charleston Open, as well as Romania’s tie with Poland in the Billie Jean King Cup which was set to take place between April 15-16.
“While I was practising in Miami yesterday I felt a sharp pain in my left leg. I had been struggling with the thigh since my semifinal in Indian Wells and hoped it would improve, but I went for an MRI last night and unfortunately it showed a tear,” Halep wrote on social media.
“My body needs time to heal and as a result I will be out of competition for three weeks. This means I have had to make the super tough decision to pull out of Miami, Charleston and Fed Cup.”
The setback comes after what has been a solid start to the season for Halep who has reached the semi-finals or better in three out of five tournaments played. At the start of the season she won the Melbourne Summer Set before reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open. Halep went on to reach the semi-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships before her run in Indian Wells.
“While it feels like really disappointing news to share, I am keeping the confidence from my great start to the year and am motivated to do everything to be ready for the clay-court season,” she stated.
Halep has been replaced in the Miami Open draw by French lucky loser Harmony Tan who will play Daria Saville.
