Wimbledon champion Simona Halep said on Saturday that she will compete at China Open in Beijing, days after retiring from Wuhan Open with a back problem. If fully fit, 28-year-old Romanian will be among favourites next week in Chinese capital, where Serena Williams will t play because of a knee issue. Halep, a former world number one, was forced out of Wuhan third round on Wednesday, saying she h a muscle issue in lower part of her back. She suffered a herniated disc in Beijing a year ago, bringing an early end to her 2018 season.  Romanian didn’t allow veteran to settle at all at All England Club to win her first Wimbledon title and second Grand Slam after 2018 French Open by beating American 6-2, 6-2 at Wimbledon.

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Simona Halep to play in China Open despite back injury

" back is better, is getting better and I'm having treatment every day," said Halep, who plays a qualifier in her Beijing opener. "I h two days off and today I practised. In my opinion, I can play tomorrow." "You never kw with back, every tournament starts with back (issue) because I h problems since 2008," she ded. "So it's rmal to have tough periods."

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'Goal to win Grand Slams', says Simona Halep

Simona Halep, Wimbledon holder and 2018 French Open champion, twice finished year number one in world. She is w sixth but said that being top of rankings was t her primary concern. "My goal is to win Grand Slams and also tournaments," Halep said.  Off-court, before first serve, Wimbledon final attracted attention because Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle was going to come out to cheer for her friend Serena Williams in action. However, after conclusion of game, it was Simona Halep and Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton’s exchange that became talking point. While former me history by becoming first Romanian to win Wimbledon title, her hopes that latter would support her turned out to be true as Middleton t only met Champion, but also lauded her for her ‘incredible game.’ After stunning 23-time-Grand Slam winner Williams in straight sets 6-2, 6-2, Halep in post-match interview was asked what she felt about Middleton coming to see match after her statement of hoping to see Duchess at match.

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