World No.3 Simona Halep announced sad news ahead of her defense of the WTA Dubai Tennis Championships 2021. A back injury will keep her out of the flagship event in the middle-east.

In her tweet, she informed of a minor back discomfort. And with a heavy heart, she had to take the decision to withdraw from the Dubai Tennis Championships.

“Unfortunately, I am not feeling 100 percent in my lower back and I have made the tough decision to withdraw from @DDFTennis.”

Halep is a two-time champ in Dubai and is the defending champion this year. She had defeated Elena Rybakina in a tense three-setter final last year. Her first title in Dubai came in 2015, defeating Karolina Pliskova.

“I have great memories from winning my 20th WTA title in Dubai last year, so I’m disappointed that I won’t be able to defend my title.”

In the end, she acknowledged the great effort the organizers are taking to conduct the event. The world is still gripping in the fear of the coronavirus, and any tournament at this time is a monumental task.

“Wishing the @DubaiDutyFree team and everyone involved a successful tournament and I can’t wait to be back next year.”

Dubai Tennis Championships 2021 will be held behind closed doors. World No.5 Elina Svitolina will lead the star-studded lineup.

Simona Halep: tough start to 2021

Halep has had a tough few months on the tour. Ever since her embarrassing loss to Iga Swiatek at French Open 2020, she has not been the same. In the two tournaments she participated in 2021, she has failed badly.

Halep started off her 2021 season at WTA Melbourne 2 and was the number one seed there. Yet she slumped to an embarrassing quarterfinal match to 32nd ranked Ekaterina Alexandrova. She had won just three games in the whole match and went out in a bad fashion.

Top Stories

Roger Federer Draws Criticism from Swiss Government Chief for Tourism Boom in Country

Stefanos Tsitsipas Considered Quitting Tennis After Major Personal Setback

Carlos Alcaraz Gets Harsh Reality Check After Father’s Reported Role in Juan Carlos Ferrero Split

Naomi Osaka Reveals How Daughter Influenced Her First Loss of 2026

45-Year-Old Venus Williams Receives 2026 Australian Open Wildcard Entry

Then came the Australian Open 2021, where she had a revenge victory over Iga Swiatek in the fourth round. But again fell in the quarterfinals, this time to rival Serena Williams.

Halep is in dire need of rejuvenation. Maybe an injury break gives her further time to assess her problems. Will Simona Halep again reach her best soon?

Read More: “Together Forever”- Venus Williams Wants Serena Williams’ Daughter Olympia to be a Tennis Player