Simona Halep on Tuesday withdrew from next week’s Qatar open without citing a reason.
“Unfortunately I’ve decided to withdraw, I can’t wait to be back in Doha next year,” she told organisers.
The Romanian dropped to third in the world from second due to her loss in the Australian Open quarter-finals last week to Serena Williams,
World No. 1 Ash Barty remains the top seed but the event is also due to lose American Sofia Kenin after the 2020 Melbourne finalist underwent an emergency appendectomy last week in Australia.
