Former world number one Simona Halep has withdrawn from the Australian Open qualifying rounds and delayed her 2025 season start due to knee and shoulder pain.
The 33-year-old Romanian, who recently completed a nine-month doping ban, felt discomfort after participating in an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi.
Ranked 877 in the world, Halep, a former French Open and Wimbledon champion, will also miss the Auckland Classic and plans to return in February at her home tournament in Cluj, Romania.
She expressed her commitment to rest and recovery before re-establishing herself on the professional tour.
