Former world No. 1 Simona Halep woke up with a blocked neck on Friday morning and decided to retire her Bad Homburg semifinal match versus Bianca Andreescu.
On Thursday, Halep saw off American Amanda Anisimova 6-2 6-1 to progress into the Bad Homburg semifinal.
“I am sorry that I had to withdraw today before my semifinal match. But unfortunately I woke up this morning with a blocked neck and this is not allowing me to perform to the best of my ability. I have had a great time here in Bad Homburg, I have enjoyed playing here very much. I would like to thank the tournament for organizing such a great event, one of the best I have been to. It made me feel at home and in the best conditions to perform. To see a full center court packed all the time is very unique and the crowd is extremely respectful and has been fantastic to me. See you all very soon,” Halep announced on Instagram.
Pogledajte ovu objavu na Instagramu.
Andreescu was hoping to get a revenge against Halep
In 2019, Halep recovered from a set down to beat Andreescu 3-6 7-6 (6) 6-3 at the WTA Finals.
After beating Daria Kasatkina in the Bad Homburg quarterfinal, Andreescu admitted she’s still hurt over missing out on a match point versus Halep.
“I definitely want to get my revenge,” Andreescu said on Thursday. “Having match point and screwing that up. I think about that a couple times a month, honestly. Whenever I see her that’s all I think about.”
Halep pulled out of her Bad Homburg semifinal but she should be ready for Wimbledon.
On Friday, Wimbledon released the tournament’s main draw.
In the first round, Halep faces Karolina Muchova.
Halep lifted her maiden Wimbledon title in 2019 but hasn’t played at the tournament since.
Wimbledon was cancelled in 2020, while Halep didn’t compete at the tournament last year because of a calf injury.