PARIS: Former champion Simona Halep on Friday announced her withdrawal from the upcoming French Open owing to a calf injury.
Halep, who won the first of her two Grand Slam titles at Roland Garros in 2018, sustained the injury at last week's Italian Open during a second-round match against Angelique Kerber from which she had to retire.
"It's with a heavy heart that I announce my withdrawal from Roland Garros this year. Unfortunately, the tear in my left calf muscle needs more time to recover and the timeline is just too short," the Romanian Halep tweeted.
"Withdrawing from a Grand Slam goes against all my instincts and aspirations as an athlete, but it is the right and only decision to make.
"The thought of not being in Paris fills me with sadness, but I will focus my energy on recovery, staying positive and getting back on court as soon as it is safe to do so."
The French Open start on May 30 and world number three Halep would have been among the favourites. Apart from lifting the trophy three years ago she was also a finalist in 2014 and 2017. -- dpa
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