Finally, the two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep is ready to be back on the WTA Tour. After retiring from the Italian Open R1 in May, she will make her comeback at the Rogers Cup 2021. However, Ashleigh Barty, Venus Williams, and Angelique Kerber will not be playing at this year’s event.

Suffering from a calf injury, Halep had to miss her two beloved tournaments, the French Open and Wimbledon. Therefore, she is more than excited to compete once again.

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Rogers Cup 2021: Simona Halep in, Ashleigh Barty, Venus Williams, Angelique Kerber out

Due to her absence, Halep has dropped down to number 10 in the WTA Rankings. Therefore, she acquired a pass from the National Bank Open, previously the Rogers Cup, to enter directly in the main draw.

“I can’t wait to come back to Montreal,” Halep said. “I have worked hard to be prepared for tournaments in North America, and that is why I am delighted to accept this pass.”

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(Quotes are translated from French to English via Google Translate)

Furthermore, Halep was also happy to learn that amateurs would fill in the seats in the stands. She said, “Amateurs in Montreal always create an electric atmosphere.”

Nevertheless, World No. 1 and recently-crowned Wimbledon champion Ashleigh Barty will miss the electric atmosphere this year. Since she is continuously playing from the start of the clay-court swing to the Tokyo Olympics, she  deserves a break.

“Together with my team, I made the decision to rest after having had a very busy schedule for a month,” Barty said. Additionally, the tournament director Eugene Lapierre also felt disappointed that Ashleigh, Angelique and Venus cannot join this year.

All in all, this means a little less competition for the 2016 and 2018 Rogers Cup champion Simona Halep.

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Who all are playing at the Rogers Cup 2021?

Alongside Halep, Japanese World No. 2 Naomi Osaka and defending champion Bianca Andreescu will compete for the National Bank Open title. 

Due to the three withdrawals, Australian Ajla Tomljanovic and American Danielle Collins found an entry in the main draw. Also, similar to Halep, Canadian Leyleh Fernandes received a pass.

The tournament will start on August 9 and will run until August 15, 2021. Who are you supporting this year?

Ashleigh Barty’s Team Triumph Over Greeks Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari at Tokyo Olympics 2020