Simona Halep has withdrawn from Australian Open qualifying and will delay the start of her 2025 season after feeling pain in her knee and shoulder.The former world number one, 33, received a wildcard from tournament organisers last week but said she felt discomfort after playing at the World Tennis League exhibition event in Abu Dhabi.

Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep has pulled out of Australian Open qualifying and a tuneup tournament in Auckland, New Zealand, because of pain in her knee and shoulder.

Simona Halep will delay her start to the 2025 season and skip the Australian Open due to pain in her knee and shoulder.

Simona Halep will delay her start to the 2025 season and skip the Australian Open due to pain in her knee and shoulder, the former world number one said on Thursday.

Romanian tennis player Simona Halep has announced her withdrawal from the upcoming Australian Open, citing a recurring knee and shoulder injury. The news comes as another setback for the athlete, who recently returned to competitive tennis after a reduced nine-month ban for doping offenses.

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Fans hoping that 2025 would be the year of Simona Halep's comeback now have reasons for concern. Halep announced on her Instagram story that she has pulled out of the Auckland Open and the Australian Open.

Simona Halep has been forced to pull out of Australian Open qualifying after announcing her latest injury setback. Former world No 1 Halep, a two-time Grand Slam champion, initially received a wildcard into the qualifying draw in Melbourne as she looked to kickstart her return from her suspension.