Simona Halep, who returned to tennis at the end of her doping suspension earlier in the year, has not played a full competitive match since March. She pushed Paula Badosa to three sets before losing in the opening round at the Miami Open.
The Romanian had made her much-awaited comeback after winning the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) appeal that overturned her doping ban, but injuries have kept her from playing since.
Halep has now taken to social media to share an important update. She revealed information about a knee injury, which has troubled her in the past, saying the pain has persisted for a prolonged period.
“I wanted to provide a little health update since I have been away from the court lately,” Simona Halep. “It is not the best news, but I wanted to share all the same. For a few months now, I have been struggling with a knee injury.”
“It’s an injury I have never had before and it has been a tough one to manage, with the pain persisting,” she added.
The Romanian further opened up about the “difficult” two-year period since her doping ban, saying she has struggled both physically and emotionally.
The former World No. 1 said she has decided to take some time away and recover well, adding that she has realised that there is little point in bulldozing through things.
“It has been a very difficult period (almost two years) mentally and emotionally for me and struggling physically on top of that definitely doesn’t help.” Simona Halep said.
“I have decided to take the time needed to recover properly, rather than training and playing through pain. My instinct has always been to try to come back as soon as possible, but I am not a machine, I am a human being and I need time to recover from everything I have gone through,” she added.
“I hope to be back on court very soon” – Simona Halep thanks fans for their support
Simona Haelp last played a full competitive match at the 2024 Miami Open (Image via Getty)
Simona Haelp last played a full competitive match at the 2024 Miami Open (Image via Getty)
Simona Halep said she would be back with a new update on her comeback soon before thanking her fans for their constant support.
The Romanian, who also competed at the Paris 125K only to be forced to retire in her opening match against McCarteney Kessler, expressed hope at being able to see the fans soon on court.
“I’ll keep you posted and, as always, want to thank you for your permanent support. I hope to be back on court very soon,” Simona Halep said.
Halep failed a test at the 2022 US Open before being found guilty of doping “intentionally.” She was slapped with a four-year ban before the decision was overruled by the CAS.