Injury Woes Continue for Simona Halep and Angelique Kerber Ahead of BNP Paribas Open 2020

Published 03/07/2020, 12:10 AM EST

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Former champion Simona Halep and defending runner-up Angelique Kerber have announced their withdrawal from the  BNP Paribas Open 2020 due to injury.

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Halep’s injury is reminiscent of the troubles she reported with her foot after clinching her first title of the 2020 season in Dubai last month. On the other hand, Kerber is facing issues in her left leg.

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The World No.2 was experiencing some pain in her foot from the start of the Dubai Tennis Championships 2020. However, playing 3 three-setter matches in Dubai certainly took a toll on her body. Subsequently, Halep decided to take some rest, skipping the Qatar Open 2020 and get some recharge for the sunshine double.

“I’m incredibly disappointed”: Simona Halep

“I’m incredibly disappointed to have to withdraw from the 2020 BNP Paribas Open,” Halep stated. “Unfortunately the foot injury that I picked up before Dubai is still causing me trouble. I will be unable to recover in time to travel to Indian Wells,” she added.

In 2015, the two-time Grand Slam winner fought back from a set down to defeat Jelena Jankovic in the finals of the Indian Wells Masters. With this victory, she claimed the first Premier Mandatory title of her career.

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“It is, without doubt, one of the highlights of the tennis calendar for me. I will be really sad to miss it, but I’m already looking forward to being back in 2021,” added the 28-year-old.

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It is uncertain if Halep will give it a go at the Miami Open 2020. She is also scheduled to play the Charleston Open, which is scheduled to begin on April 4. However, the Romanian will hope to be fit for the big clay season, which commences in April.

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Other withdrawals from the BNP Paribas Open 2020

Three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber is also out of the event this year. She is facing a continuing left leg injury. She has not played a professional match since her fourth-round loss at the Australian Open 2020. Taylor Townsend will replace the German in the main draw.

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Earlier, 2012 and 2016 champion Victoria Azarenka pulled out of the event due to personal issues. Furthermore, defending champion Bianca Andreescu is also unsure about her participation in the tournament as she is recovering from a knee injury.

The Premier Mandatory event commences on 12th March. The tournament is already facing some issues due to outspread of coronavirus and it will certainly hope that no more withdrawals come their way.

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Written by:

Varun Khanna

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Starting off as a tennis author in 2018, Varun Khanna has gone on to contribute to EssentiallySports in various capacities. After setting up interviews with the likes of Serena Williams’ coach Patrick Mouratoglou, Alizé Cornet, and Noah Rubin, Varun is now part of all major ATP and WTA press conferences and has gone on to pen more than 1300 articles for EssentiallySports. He now heads the tennis and NBA division of the organization.
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