Simona Halep’s eagerly anticipated tennis comeback has been temporarily delayed as the former world No. 1 has withdrawn from the WTA 1000 Mutua Madrid Open. Halep, a two-time champion in Madrid, was expected to receive a wild card for the tournament but was not included in the draw released on Sunday.
In a statement posted on social media, Halep explained her decision, citing the need for additional time to prepare her body for the rigors of competitive tennis. “My body needs a little more time to be ready,” she wrote. “It’s tough because I want to be back on tour asap, but experience tells me not to rush.”
Halep’s withdrawal from Madrid comes after she made her return to the court at the Miami Open in March, losing in the first round to Paula Badosa. It was her first match since the 2022 US Open, where a positive test for the banned substance roxadustat led to a nearly two-year suspension.
The Romanian star had also planned to compete in the WTA 125 event in Oeiras, Portugal, this week but withdrew due to a knee injury. Halep, now 32, has acknowledged the physical challenges she faces after an extended absence from the tour.
“I will need to practice harder because the level is very high these days,” she said after her Miami match. “I came here just because the boost, the love for tennis, just brought me here.”
Despite the setbacks, Halep remains determined to return to her former glory. She has been awarded a wild card to the WTA 1000 event in Rome, which begins on May 8. The Italian capital holds special significance for Halep, as she won her first WTA title there in 2013.
