Despite practice, Halep pulls out of Moscow

Published October 16, 2018

Hi guys! I have been working hard on strengthening my back.

Now it's time to fly to Moscow and test it out 💪🤞✈️ pic.twitter.com/YFyZsLj1hl
— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) October 12, 2018

Despite being diagnosed with a herniated disk, Simona Halep was practicing in Moscow this week in preparation for the Kremlin Cup.

So far so good here in Moscow 🙏 pic.twitter.com/mqpibfQ1MQ
— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) October 13, 2018

At home in Romanian before flying to Moscow, the world No. 1 even enjoyed court time with her niece. She indicated that her practice has been progressing.

"I haven't practiced 100 percent yet but today, tomorrow, I will do close to 100," Halep said in a recent conference call, "and I will be able to know better the next day."

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A post shared by Simona Halep (@simonahalep)

Though she was on the practice court, as of Monday, her participation in both Moscow and the WTA Finals was still up in the air. On Tuesday, she withdrew from the Kremlin Cup, where she was the top seed.

I really wanted to play here in Moscow, but unfortunately my back is still causing me pain and I don't want to take any unnecessary risks.

While it's disappointing to withdraw, I know it's important to put my health first. I wish the tournament great success 🤗 pic.twitter.com/vqGiclchyD
— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) October 16, 2018

No matter what happens with the rest of the season, Halep has already clinched the year-end No. 1 ranking for the second year in a row.

❤️ pic.twitter.com/z1lLFrATI5
— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) October 15, 2018

Lucky loser Valentini Grammatikopoulou replaces Halep in the Moscow draw.

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