Simona Halep has suffered a slight setback in the beginning of the clay season as the previous world No. 1 is withdrawing from a WTA 125 event in Oeiras as a consequence of a knee damage.
Final week, two-time Grand Slam champion Halep accepted a primary draw wildcard into subsequent week’s Oeiras occasion to start out her clay season in Portugal. On the time when the information had been confirmed, the 32-year-old Romanian was already training on clay.
This week, every part was going as deliberate till Wednesday, when Halep began experiencing ache and discomfort in her knee. Halep did not panic, as a substitute she determined to additionally observe on Thursday and see what would occur.
![Simona Halep](https://www.tennisworldusa.org/world/media/image147468.jpg)
Sadly, the ache was additionally there on Thursday and the two-time Grand Slam champion made a precautionary but in addition an affordable determination to skip Oeiras.
The information was first revealed by Romanian media.
Breaking Information: As a result of a knee damage, Simona Halep has determined to not take part within the WTA125 event in Oeiras.
She withdrew due to knee ache that she felt on the finish of Wednesday’s observe. She wished to see how she feels as we speak and the ache was nonetheless there. pic.twitter.com/OVpCANr2A6
— Romanian Tennis (@WTARomania) April 11, 2024
Later, Halep herself confirmed that the reviews had been true.
“Change of plans! My physique is telling me it wants extra time to regulate to being again in full coaching. I do not need to rush as I make my comeback so I will not be taking part in in Oeiras subsequent week,” Halep stated in a press release posted on her Instagram Story.
![Simona Halep announcement](https://www.tennisworldusa.org/world/media/image147466.jpg)
Halep getting into a WTA 125 event to start out the clay season was deemed a fantastic transfer
After being sidelined for a yr and a half and returning to tennis solely final month, it was clear that Halep wanted matches and time to slowly get herself again into rhythm and type.
When it was revealed that Halep would begin her clay season at a WTA 125 event, it made a lot sense as a result of it was an ideal alternative to get some motion and doubtless wins since Oeiras is a lower-tier event. Later, the two-time Grand Slam champion herself indicated that these had been the explanation why she accepted to play Oeiras.
“I’m very excited so as to add a brand new event to my calendar,” Halep stated in a press release final week after being confirmed for Oeiras.
“On my return to the WTA circuit I intend to play as many matches as potential and accepting this wildcard offers me the chance to take action in entrance of the Portuguese public. I need to thank the event for having me and I can’t wait to be there.”
![Simona Halep](https://www.tennisworldusa.org/world/media/image147391.jpg)
The place Halep performs subsequent after the Oeiras withdrawal?
Earlier than being given a primary draw wildcard for Oeiras, Halep was introduced as a primary draw wildcard recipient for a WTA 1000 event in Madrid, which begins on April twenty third.
When Halep returns to Madrid later this month, she might be returning to a really acquainted place the place she had a number of success up to now. To date, the 32-year-old Romanian has made 11 appearances on the clay courts of Madrid – made 4 finals – and received two titles.
Whereas Halep was one of many high favorites for the Madrid title up to now, that will not be the case this yr since she continues to be very early in her comeback and can doubtless want a while earlier than she begins contending for titles once more. Nevertheless, taking part in in Madrid may positively deliver some good emotions in Halep and possibly lead to a couple wins and finally a stable consequence, which might be sufficient for the Romanian.
![Simona Halep](https://www.tennisworldusa.org/world/media/image147469.jpg)
To date in her comeback, Halep has performed only one match in Miami – the place she was up by a set earlier than Paula Badosa got here again to beat her 1-6 6-4 6-3.
“After the primary 5 factors that I misplaced, I used to be fairly nervous (smiling). I simply thought that it is going to be robust. I did not know truly what to anticipate. However then slowly I received again the rhythm. I took the primary recreation,” Halep stated after the match.
“Then I simply relaxed myself and I stated, Okay, I am not that dangerous, it is going to be okay. I simply needed to consider and to only be centered. I knew it is going to be robust, but it surely was actually good in the long run.”
Though Halep misplaced in opposition to Badosa, she felt like a winner that day.
“I’d price it as a big day, truthfully, contemplating the interval I had. Taking part in so nicely, feeling so nicely on courtroom, feeling so nicely exterior of the courtroom with so many individuals which can be very good to me and giving me the love, I’d say that at the present time goes to remain very particular for me,” Halep stated after taking part in her first match again.
“After all, I had many outcomes up to now, massive outcomes. However right here it is one thing greater than tennis, it is one thing private. I actually like to see that persons are appreciating me beside tennis and beside every part that occurred.”