WTA Dubai: Defending champion Simona Halep cancels start
Simona Halep will not defend her title at the WTA 1000 tournament in Dubai due to back problems.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Mar 04, 2021, 11:17 pm
Simona Halep had already been absent from the WTA 500 event in Doha, now the world number three has also canceled her participation in the WTA 1000 tournament in Dubai, which begins on March 7th. As the Romanian announced on social media, she is struggling with back problems.
"Unfortunately I don't feel at 100 percent in my lower back and made the tough decision to withdraw," wrote Halep, who won the tournament last season. "I have great memories of winning my 20th WTA title in Dubai last year, so I am disappointed that I cannot defend my title."
The world number one Ashleigh Barty had previously canceled her start in Dubai due to an injury . Naomi Osaka, Sofia Kenin, Bianca Andreescu and Jennifer Brady will also not compete in the largest city in the United Arab Emirates.
As things stand now, all of the top players will meet again at the WTA 1000 tournament in Miami, which will begin on March 23rd.