WTA: The back does not (yet) participate: Halep moves out of Moscow

After her slipped disc, the tournament in Moscow comes too early for world number one Simona Halep.

Reason has won: Simona Halep takes no risks and has cancelled her start at the premier event in Moscow. “It’s disappointing, but I know it’s important to put my health first,” Halep announced on Twitter.

The 27-year-old had suffered a back injury during training a few weeks ago, most recently in Beijing, where she gave up after losing her first set against Ons Jabeur. Shortly afterwards Halep underwent an MRT – and received the diagnosis “herniated disc”. However, surgery was said not to be necessary.

Halep still wants to compete at the WTA Finals in Singapore, but his appearance at the Kremlin Cup would obviously have come too early. Even if the Romanian posted a photo of the training on the weekend and wrote: “So far everything is fine here in Moscow”.

Halep doesn’t have to worry about her world ranking position: As the WTA announced yesterday, they will finish the year at the top for the second time in a row – too big their lead after a brilliant year, with the climax of their first Grand Slam tournament victory at the French Open.

Coach Darren Cahill posted a video with the congratulations of the whole team. But now it’s time to keep your fingers crossed that your back will heal – and, if necessary, get back in the car in 2019!