Former champion Simona Halep pulls out of Roland-Garros due to calf injury

World No 3 and 2018 Roland-Garros champion Simona Halep has pulled out of this year’s competition due to a left calf injury, the Romanian announced on her social media handle on Friday.

Halep sustained the injury last week in Rome in her second round match against Germany’s Angelique Kerber. Having won the first set 6-1, Halep was tied at 3-3 with Kerber in the second set when she suffered the injury and decided to forfeit the match.

The thought of not being in Paris fills me with sadness – Halep

Halep, who also reached the final at Roland-Garros in 2014 and 2017, posted a message on her social media accounts earlier today, announcing the news and saying she was looking forward to returning this year.

“It’s with a heavy heart that I announce my withdrawal from Roland-Garros this year. Unfortunately the tear in my left calf needs more time to recover and the timeline is just too short. 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. Roland Garros 2022, I’m coming for you! A bientot!”

The main draw of the Roland-Garros kicks off in Paris on May 30, 2021.