TWO-TIME Grand Slam champion Simona Halep pulled out of Australian Open qualifying and a tune-up tournament in Auckland, New Zealand, on Thursday because of pain in her knee and shoulder, the latest interruption of her comeback from a drug suspension.

Halep posted on social media that she was feeling poorly after participating in an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi.

“After discussing with my team at length, we agreed it is sensible to delay the start of my season,” Halep wrote. “It's not what I wanted.”