‘It’s not what I wanted’ – Wild card Halep withdraws from Australian Open

by Admin
December 26, 2024

Simona Halep has announced she will not take part in the Australian Open next month due to problems with her knee and shoulder.

Halep’s best finish in Melbourne is as a runner-up in 2018, though she has won both the French Open and Wimbledon in previous years.

After making her return to competitive tennis, she played in the World Tennis League exhibition in Abu Dhabi this December.

“After playing in Abu Dhabi, unfortunately I felt pain in my knee and shoulder once again,” Halep wrote on her Instagram account.

“After discussing with my team at length, we agreed it is sensible to delay the start of my season.”

“It’s not what I wanted but I would like to thank the tournament organisers in Auckland and Australia for the wild cards and I’m sorry I won’t be able to take them this time.”

Nadal, the King of Paris – Watch the trailer for Boxing Day documentary

Video credit: Eurosport

Instead, Halep plans to take part in the Transylvania Open in Cluj, Romania, in February.

The former No. 1 was suspended in October 2022 after testing positive for roxadustat at that year’s US Open.

Her four-year ban was reduced to nine months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, after claiming that the substance was in a contaminated supplement.

Watch and stream the 2025 Australian Open live on Eurosport and discovery+.