Qatar Open 2021: After Bianca Andreescu, its Simona Halep who withdraws from the WTA event

Qatar Open 2021: After Bianca Andreescu, its Simona Halep who withdraws from the WTA event

Simona Halep

Simona Halep

Simona Halep the world no.3 has withdrawn from the Qatar Open 2021. Her official statement read, “Unfortunately I have made the decision to withdraw from the Qatar Total Open,” Read the statement released by the tournament organizers on behalf of Simona Halep. “It’s always one of my favourite stops on the tour and I really look forward to being back in Doha next year.”

This is the second high profile withdrawal at the WTA 500 Qatar Open. The first was of course Bianca Andreescu, but unlike Halep who didn’t give a reason for the withdrawal, Andreescu has been suffering from a leg injury. These recent developments are no doubt a mild setback for the Qatar Open, and tennis in the MENA region.  

Seeds for the QATAR OPEN 2021

CountryPlayerRankSeed
AUSAshleigh Barty11
UKRElina Svitolina52
CZEKarolína Plíšková63
BLRAryna Sabalenka84
CZEPetra Kvitová105
NEDKiki Bertens116
  SUIBelinda Bencic127
USAJennifer Brady138

Qatar Open 2021 is scheduled from March 1st to 6th.

Simona Halep still recovering from her Australian Open sojourn?

Simona Halep

Halep is a tough competitor on the tennis court. It’s through sheer will, mental toughness, and a lot of hard work  that this diminutive powerhouse has made herself a force to reckon with in a game dominated by much taller and stronger women. 

Also, she is the only women’s tennis player to have consistently ranked in the top in the last seven years. But, the manner of defeat at this year’s Australian Open, might have taken a toll on the 29 year old. 

Playing Serena Williams in the Quarter Finals of the Australian Open 2021, she got a real hammering. A straight sets win for Serena 6-3 6-3. It was a payback that Serena wanted to give her following Halep’s win over her in the 2019 Wimbledon Final.

Also Read: “Serena Williams won’t retire until she wins,” says Coach Patrick Mouratoglou