Former French Open champion Simona Halep, one of Ash Barty’s big rivals for the Roland Garros title, has suffered a tear in her left calf, raising doubts over whether she’ll be fit for the Paris grand slam.
The Romanian, who won the title in 2018, had to retire from her Italian Open second-round match against Angelique Kerber on Wednesday with the problem. Third seed Halep was leading 6-1 3-3 when she showed discomfort while trying to reach a first serve from her German opponent.
Halep massaged her left calf before hobbling to her bench, where she received treatment from a physio.
Unable to move, Halep decided to withdraw from the match and needed assistance to get off the court, causing doubt over whether she would be fit in time for the French Open, which begins on May 30. She later wrote on Twitter that an ultrasound scan had revealed a tear in her left calf. (coindesk)