Simona Halep has decided to take a break from the Madrid Open next week to focus on her physical preparation after being out of competition for more than 18 months.
The highest body for international sport reduced the former Wimbledon and French Open champion’s four-year doping penalty to nine months in March. She then returned to the Miami Open as a wildcard and lost to Paula Badosa in the first round.
Halep wrote on X: “Unfortunately my body needs a little more time to be ready and I have made the tough decision not to play in Madrid. Tough because I want to be back on tour ASAP, but experience tells me not to rush. Thank you to @MutuaMadridOpen who offered me the wildcard and to my fans.”
Unfortunately my body needs a little more time to be ready and I have made the tough decision not to play in Madrid. Tough because I want to be back on tour asap, but experience tells me not to rush. Thank you to @MutuaMadridOpen who offered me the wild card and to my fans ♥️🙏 pic.twitter.com/s9ex85Otio
— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) April 21, 2024
Simona Halep in 2024
Now the world no.578, the Romanian played her last match on the 19th of March when she was overcome by world no.101 Paula Badosa 1-6 6-4 6-3 in the 1st round in Miami (draw).
Currently, during this season Halep has managed to achieve a 0-1 record.
