Simona Halep's comeback dealt another blow after latest withdrawal

04/22/2024 03:30 AM

Simona Halep's comeback from suspension has hit another stumbling block after the former world No 1 confirmed that she would not be playing at the upcoming Madrid Open.

Halep, who was allowed to return to tour last month after her four-year doping suspension was reduced to nine months, had initially been handed a Wildcard into the WTA 1000 event.

The Romanian is twice a champion in Madrid – winning in 2016 and 2017 – and has also reached a further two finals in the Spanish capital.

This tournament could have provided her with some significant match play as the 32-year-old continues her return, having not played from the 2022 US Open until the Miami Open this March.

But rumours swirled that she had pulled out of the WTA 1000 event and after her name did not feature in Sunday's draw reveal, she took to social media to confirm her absence.

"Unfortunately my body needs a little more time to be ready and I have made the tough decision not to play in Madrid," she said.

"[It's] tough because I want to be back on tour ASAP, but experience tells me not to rush. Thank you to [the] Madrid Open who offered me the Wildcard and to my fans."

Unfortunately my body needs a little more time to be ready and I have made the tough decision not to play in Madrid. Tough because I want to be back on tour asap, but experience tells me not to rush. Thank you to @MutuaMadridOpen who offered me the wild card and to my fans pic.twitter.com/s9ex85Otio

— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) April 21, 2024

Halep's withdrawal means that her match in Miami is still the only match she has played since her return to court.

The Romanian started brightly on her return against Paula Badosa, though it was noticeable how she faded physically as the Spaniard sealed a 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory in Florida.

Halep was originally part of Romania's Billie Jean King Cup squad for their tie against Ukraine two weeks after the Miami Open ended, but pulled out of the squad.

Currently down at 1,150 in the WTA Rankings, all eyes will now be on where and when Halep plays next.
The Italian Open in Rome – where she is also a former champion – is a tournament she would likely want to enter should she be fit, with the French Open starting a week after action in the Italian capital.

But the Romanian would still require a Wildcard to get into both tournaments, and that will remain a controversial talking point – particularly at the second Grand Slam of 2024.

Maria Sharapova was famously refused a Roland Garros Wildcard when making her return in 2017, and it is unlikely that the tournament will shift positions for another former champion who finds herself in similar circumstances.

Read More: Simona Halep makes 'baggage' admission as she reveals Ashleigh Barty among those who supported her during ban

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