Tennis: World No 1 Halep pulls out of Kremlin Cup

Moscow: Romania’s World No 1 Simona Halep on Tuesday withdrew from the Kremlin Cup, a joint WTA and ATP event, due to concerns over an ongoing back injury.

“I tried everything I could to be ready here as I really wanted to play,” Halep said. “But unfortunately the back is still causing me pain and I don’t want to take any unnecessary risks.”

The 27-year-old’s appearance in Moscow and the WTA Finals had been in doubt when she withdrew from Beijing two weeks ago and was diagnosed with a herniated disk in her back.

“While it’s disappointing to withdraw, I know it’s important to put my health first,” she added.