Halep withdraws from the Australian Open

As the new year begins, so does a new season of Grand Slam tournaments. The first on the calendar, the Australian Open, will be missing one prominent tennis star.

Details: Former world No. 1 Simona Halep had received a wildcard for the tournament, as well as for the Auckland tournament. However, due to shoulder and knee injuries, the 33-year-old Romanian announced her withdrawal from both competitions through her social media.

Reminder: In August 2022, Halep tested positive for a banned substance that stimulates red blood cell production. As a result, she was handed a four-year suspension, later reduced to nine months through appeals. Halep returned to competitive tennis in March 2024, winning her first match post-suspension in October.