Dubai champion Simona Halep recovered from foot injury and 'can't wait to play tennis again'

Romanian's most recent outing came in the UAE before injury and coronavirus halted her season

Romania's Simona Halep after beating Elena Rybakina in the final of the 2020 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship. AP

Simona Halep came though a tough battle against the in-form Elena Rybakina in a thrilling final to clinch the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships title 3-6, 6-3, 7-5. EPA

Romania's Simona Halep returns the ball to Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina. AFP

Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in action. EPA

Romania's Simona Halep returns the ball to Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina. AFP

Romania's Simona Halep returns the ball. AFP

Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina serves. AFP

Romania's Simona Halep returns the ball to Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina during the final of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in the United Arab Emirates on February 22, 2020. / AFP / KARIM SAHIB

Elena Rybakina serves the ball to Simona Halep. AFP

Simona Halep during the final against Elena Rybakina. EPA

Elena Rybakina during the match against Simona Halep. EPA

World No 2 Simona Halep has said she is recovering well from the foot injury she sustained in February and is able to run without pain.

Halep last competed when she won the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships for a second time, and the Romanian admitted after collecting the trophy that she had been carrying a foot injury since before the tournament started.

The Wimbledon champion subsequently ruled herself out of the following week's Qatar Open, before withdrawing from Indian Wells prior to the event's cancellation due to the coronavirus.

"The foot looks good, I have started to run already and I don't have pain at all," Halep said in a video posted on Twitter.

"I don't play tennis yet but being able to do the training means a lot and gives me a big positive actually."

Tennis, like virtually all other sports, has been severely impacted by the pandemic, with the professional season suspended until at least mid-July.

Halep defeated Serena Williams in last year's Wimbledon final but will not get to defend her title in 2020 as the Grand Slam was cancelled due to the virus, which has recorded more than 1.3 million cases and at least 74,700 deaths, while recoveries have surpassed 277,000

"I miss my team, I miss the players, I miss the tournaments, I miss everyone from the Tour," said the 28-year-old, who also won the French Open in 2018.

"I know it's bit tough for everybody, this period. But if we stay home, if we stay strong and positive it will help a lot. I can't wait to travel again, I can't wait to play tennis again and I can't wait to see you."