via Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, February 16, 2021 Romania’s Simona Halep looks dejected after her quarter final match against Serena Williams of the U.S. REUTERS/Loren Elliott
via Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, February 16, 2021 Romania’s Simona Halep looks dejected after her quarter final match against Serena Williams of the U.S. REUTERS/Loren Elliott
12th seed Simona Halep has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open 2021 R2 match, citing a small tear in her right adductor. Correspondingly, American Jessica Pegula has received a walkover to the pre-quarters of the tournament.
Earlier, the three-time runner-up, Halep, beat Magda Linette to get her first victory since May 2021. After the match, she revealed that she finally left ‘life‘ in her, competing on the court.
USA Today via Reuters
Aug 17, 2021; Mason, OH, USA; Simona Halep (ROU) returns a shot against Magda Linette (POL) during the Western and Southern Open tennis tournament at Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Unfortunately, injury woes continue for the former World No.1 despite her continuous efforts to recover. Before this, Halep also had to miss out on the French Open and Wimbledon Championships events.
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Simona Halep hopes to be ready for the US Open 2021
Without any doubt, Halep and the fans both equally enjoyed her first match in Cincinnati and looked forward to seeing each other over the week. However, her current physical shape did not support that idea.
Read More: “I Changed My Mindset” – Naomi Osaka Opens up on Hardships After Narrow Win at Cincinnati Open 2021
Also, during her match against Linette, the 29-year-old had called for a medical time-out. Probably, she played through the injury to win her first WTA match in three months.
USA Today via Reuters
Aug 17, 2021; Mason, OH, USA; Simona Halep (ROU) reacts against Magda Linette (POL) during the Western and Southern Open tennis tournament at Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Ultimately, Halep has decided to sit out of the Western and Southern Open and recover from the injury. Hence, she yet again missed her opportunity at leaving her mark in Cincinnati.
“Unfortunately, a scan this morning showed that I have a small tear in my right adductor and therefore it would be too risky for me to play tonight. I will rest up and do everything I can to be ready for the US Open,” she wrote on Twitter. “To the fans in Cincy, it was beautiful to see you again.”
Also Read: Venus Williams Seeks a Spot in the US Open 2021 Main Draw
From here on, the former World No.1 will be in a race against time to get fit for the American Grand Slam. She most certainly would not want to miss out on a third consecutive Grand Slam event in a calendar year.
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What has happened to Halep?
At the Italian Open 2021, the Romanian World No.13 injured her right calf. Ever since then, she has been recovering from it. Additionally, in the Cincinnati post-match interview, she had said that the injury was “very painful.”
Hopefully, this is only a minor hiccup for Halep on her way to full recovery. Fans would indeed wish to see her come again on the court and compete at the upcoming US Open 2021.
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Considering her injury woes, will Halep take part in the New York Slam?
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