My back injury was scary, says Simona Halep

confessed she got worried for the back issue she dealt with towards the late stage of the 2018 season. The Romanian player skipped the WTA Finals in Singapore and she cameback to practice only in December.

Speaking at the Sydney International, Halep, who lost to Ashleigh Barty in her opening round match, said: It was very scary because it was below the back, so its always dangerous. But I had treatment at home, I rested for about six weeks and I did nothing, just exercises for the back.

I didnt have pain while I was practising this period, off-season. So now I feel confident and its okay. But I need to see during the official match. Halep added: I feel relaxed, I feel rested, I feel healthy with the back.

But as I said, I didnt play a match yet so I dont know for sure how its going to be. Halep plans to stay coachless in the first months of the new season: (Cahill) was a very big part of my career and I want to thank him for that.

Together we won the grand slam that we always wished for. Its going to be tough. And it was tough, the off-season, without a coach, without Darren. But he decided this and I fully understood because family comes first always.

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