Simona Halep feels safer heading into Miami Open after receiving vaccine

Simona Halep has traveled to Miami with a certain peace of mind after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine in her native Romania.

Simona Halep has not played a match since her Australian Open exit and a lot of that has to do with the pandemic. The Romanian was vocal about her discomfort of traveling to America last year so this year she embraced it with peace of mind after getting the vaccine.

She said:

"I can say I'm a little bit safer now. But still, I protect myself. We are still in the bubble, which is exhausting to stay in the bubble every week. But we have to respect the rules."

Halep elected not to travel to America last year and she was asked about that she replied:

"I said it's a long time since August, so now I'm in a better position also mentally, and that's why I'm coming. So I'm happy to be there.

The Romanian ace explained her reasoning further by simply saying:

"I feel more relaxed. I feel more comfortable to travel now. That's why I decided to come here."

As a seeded player, she will have a bye in the first round but she will get a taste of the courts in the doubles partnering Angelique Kerber. You can follow that match and all other matches by clicking here!