Simona Halep has revealed she is continuing to take time away from tennis amid an ongoing knee issue, having played just one match since her return from suspension.
Former world No 1 Halep, a past French Open and Wimbledon champion, returned to the sport at the Miami Open this spring, having had her doping suspension cut from four years to nine months.
Having spent 18 months suspended since testing positive for roxadustat at the 2022 US Open the Romanian returned via a wildcard in Miami, losing 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 to Paula Badosa.
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A permanent return to the WTA Tour looked likely but the 32-year-old withdrew from the Madrid Open, having received a wildcard, and was absent from Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
A member of her entourage revealed pre-SW19 that she would not be in contention for a wildcard there due to an ongoing knee injury, with Halep only playing a mixed doubles exhibition and one ITF event post-Miami.
And, in a lengthy statement on Instagram on Friday, Halep cast further doubt about her recovery time.
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She wrote: “Hi everyone.
“I wanted to provide a little health update since I have been away from the court lately. It is not the best news, but I wanted to share all the same.
“For a few months now, I have been struggling with a knee injury. It’s an injury I have never had before and it has been a tough one to manage, with the pain persisting.
“It has been a very difficult period (almost two years) mentally and emotionally for me and struggling physically on top of that definitely doesn’t help. I have decided to take the time needed to recover properly, rather than training and playing through pain.
“My instinct has always been to try to come back as soon as possible, but I am not a machine, I am a human being and I need time to recover from everything I have gone through.
“I’ll keep you posted and, as always, want to thank you for your permanent support. I hope to be back on court very soon.”
Halep’s statement would suggest that an attempt to play at the US Open – where she is a former semi-finalist – this summer is unlikely.
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The Romanian was not on the entry list which was released earlier this week, though could have still been in line for a wildcard had she been fit.
However, there is no indicator as to when a return would be possible, or if that is something likely to happen this season.
The Romanian could prioritise the start of the 2025 season in Australia, with the former No 1 a finalist at the Australian Open in 2018.
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