“After playing in Abu Dhabi, unfortunately I felt pain in my knee and shoulder once again,” Halep announced on social media. “After discussing it 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.”

The Romanian is hopeful of returning to the court at Transylvania Open in February:

“I will rest up and intend for my next event to be Cluj, where I can’t wait to play in front of the amazing Romanian fans.”

Simona Halep has to withdraw from Auckland and the Australian Open due to injury pic.twitter.com/GZpQEUewCo

— Mario Boccardi (@marioboc17) December 26, 2024