World No.3 Simona Halep will not be playing at the upcoming French Open due to an ongoing injury issue, according to multiple sources.
The 2018 champion had been in doubt for the Grand Slam ever since suffering a calf injury during one of her matches in Rome which she was forced to retire from. An MRI scan later revealed that she had suffered a small tear in her left calf. Since the setback, Halep has returned to her native Romania where she is currently conducting her rehabilitation and has been receiving treatment from her long-term doctor Stefan Irimia.
Reports of Halep’s withdrawal from the French Open started on Thursday when TV presenter Cristian Mîndru wrote on his Facebook account that the former world No.1 would not be playing at the event. Mîndru recently interviewed Halep for an upcoming feature which will be broadcasted on TVR Romania. Since then, Pro Sport has reported that she would not be playing, as well as journalist Daniel Radu. Furthermore, sources such as btu.org.ua says she has officially withdrawn from the French Open entry list. Live updates regarding tournament entry lists are not publicly available.
It will be the first time in Halep’s career she has missed the French Open since making her debut back in 2010. Besides her title triumph in 2018, she has also reached the finals on two other occasions (2014 and 2017). Overall, she has won 31 matches at Roland Garros, which is the most she has won at any Grand Slam.
The 29-year-old is yet to win a title this season with her best runs being to the semi-finals in Stuttgart and quarter-finals of the Australian Open. Halep also reached the last eight of another tournament in Melbourne at the start of the year. Her win-loss currently stands at 11-5.
There is yet to be any public statement from either Halep or a member of her team regarding the French Open. It has been reported that her place in the draw will be taken by Italy’s Jasmine Paollini.
UPDATE
Since publishing this article Halep has issued a statement on social media confirming that she will not be playing at the French Open :-
“It’s with a heavy heart that I announce my withdrawal from Roland Garros this year. Unfortunately the tear in my left calf needs more time to recover and the timeline is just too short. Withdrawing from a Grand Slam goes against all my instincts and aspirations as an athlete, but but it is the right and only decision to make. The thought of not being in Paris fills me with sadness, but I will focus my energy on recovery, staying positive and getting back on court as soon as it is safe to do so. Roland Garros 2022, I’m coming for you!”
Simona Halep
