Simona Halep says she's tested positive for virus

World no. 2 Simona Halep has tested positive for Covid-19. The Romanian shared the health update through a tweet.

“Hi everyone, I wanted to let you know that I tested positive for COVID-19. I am self-isolating at home and am recovering well from mild symptoms. I feel good... we will get through this together,” posted Halep.

The former world no. 1 ended her season after the French Open in October, choosing not to play in the two WTA events that were to follow the Major, in Ostrava and in Linz (to be played between 9th-15th November). At Roland Garros, Halep lost to eventual champion Iga Swiatek in the fourth round.

Simona Halep: Fewer, the better

Earlier, when the tour resumed after a five-month break in July, Halep chose to play it safe by not playing any tournaments including the American swing. She decided not to travel for the Western & Southern Open and the US Open both of which were to be held at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center at Flushing Meadows, in New York. Prior to skipping these events in the United States, Halep, who was the top-seed at the Palermo Open, opted out of the event as well. The Italian event was to among the first tournaments to be played upon the tour’s resumption.

Halep’s decision, however, did not go well with the tournament organisers, including tournament director Oliviero Palma.

During the clay season, the two-time Major champion posted a strong run that proclaimed her to be the favourite in Paris. She built a 17-match winning streak between the Dubai Open in February before the tour was paused up to her ouster in the French capital.

Playing the Prague and Rome Opens before her trip to Paris, Halep won both events. In the Czech capital she defeated Belgium’s Elise Mertens in the final while in the finals in Rome, she beat Karolina Pliskova. At the Dubai Open, she won against Elena Rybakina.

In total, Simona Halep played only six events in the 2020 season, with three coming pre-lockdown and the rest, post the opening-up of the sport’s lockdown. Apart from the three titles she clinched this year, Halep’s best result at the Slams came at the Australian Open, where she reached the semi-finals (lost to Garbine Muguruza).

Photo Credit: Roland Garros

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/34Hyfoo