Simona HALEP withdraws from 2024 Madrid Open as comeback continues to falter

Simona Halep's comeback is not going as planned with the former World No.1 withdrawing from the Madrid Open which begins on April 23 and ahead of tomorrow's draw at 6pm local time, she has decided not to play after being handed a wildcard initially.

There were a lot of reports surrounding Halep's wildcard as she was given one directly at the same time as Caroline Wozniacki with both exchanging words about Halep's use of wildcards despite previously calling out Maria Sharapova for getting backdoor entries amid doping. She protested her innocence despite only having her sentence reduced not quashed.

But it will only be Wozniacki playing in Madrid with the other wildcards uncertain. Emma Raducanu will likely be one of those with the Brit seen in Madrid, but the others are shroud in mystery and likely will be further with Halep's latest blow.

Halep said as per WTA Romania that she wasn't fully recovered enough to play a high level tournament in Madrid after she also withdrew from Billie Jean King Cup and also Oeiras WTA 125 in recent weeks. She made an immediate return at the Miami Open in March after having her sentence reduced and she lost to Paula Badosa. But had medical issues then a shoulder injury which she hasn't fully recovered from. She will hope to be ready for Rome, but as per previous reports her route to Roland Garros might not be as smooth.