Wimbledon 2021: Reigning champion Halep out with injured calf

Reigning Wimbledon champion Simona Halep withdrew from the Grand Slam tournament on Friday because of an injured left calf.

Halep is ranked No. 3 but would have been seeded second at the All England Club because second-ranked Naomi Osaka pulled out of Wimbledon earlier.

READ| Zhang Zhizhen becomes first Chinese man in Wimbledon draw in Open era

Halep tore her calf during a match at the Italian Open in May and sat out the French Open, which she won in 2018 for the first of her two major championships.

READ| Top seed Sabalenka knocked out by Giorgi at Eastbourne

In 2019, the last time Wimbledon was played, Halep beat Serena Williams 6-2, 6-2 in the final.

Halep's withdrawal came shortly before the start of the draw at the All England Club. Play in the grass-court major tournament begins Monday.