Simona Halep withdraws from Miami with thigh injury, but aims to return for European clay-court season

Simona Halep is aiming to return for the European clay-court season despite withdrawing from the Miami Open with a thigh injury. She's expected to miss the next three weeks of competition.

The 30-year-old said she first began experiencing problems with her leg during Indian Wells, where she reached the semifinals, and it grew more significant during her Miami practice this week.

"I felt a sharp pain in my left leg," said Halep on social media, adding that an MRI showed she had a tear in the muscle.

"While it feels like really disappointing news to share, I am keeping the confidence from my great start to the year[,] and am motivated to do everything to be ready for the claycourt season."

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Hi guys, while I was practising in Miami yesterday I felt a sharp pain in my left leg. I had been struggling with the thigh since my semifinal in Indian Wells and hoped it would improve, but I went for an MRI last night and unfortunately it showed a tear. My body needs time to pic.twitter.com/6xlojjKTRj
— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) March 24, 2022

Halep began the season by winning a WTA event in Melbourne, then reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open and the semifinals of Dubai. She has also changed coaches. She will now not play her next three scheduled events: Miami, Charleston and the Billie Jean King Cup.

The two-time Grand Slam champion is No. 19 in the rankings.