BBC Sport · Dec 26, 2024
Injured Halep withdraws from Australian Open
Image caption, Simona Halep reached the fourth round on her most recent appearance at the Australian Open in 2022Simona Halep has withdrawn from Australian Open qualifying and will delay the start of her 2025 season after feeling pain in her knee and shoulder.
The former world number one, 33, received a wildcard from tournament organisers last week but said she felt discomfort after playing at the World Tennis League exhibition event in Abu Dhabi.
Halep was given a four-year doping ban that was reduced to nine months this year, and always maintained her innocence after being charged with two separate doping offences.