Still hopeful to defend her Wimbledon title, Simona Halep withdraws from Bad Homburg

WATCH: Halep retires in Rome vs. Kerber

World No. 3 Simona Halep has delayed her return to competition, pulling out from Bad Homburg. Main-draw action at the grass-court event begins Sunday.

The 29-year-old has not played since experiencing a leg injury in the second round of Rome that later forced her out of the French Open.

Halep had taken a wild card into Bad Homburg but said in a video message that her leg was still "not ready for competition, prompting her withdrawal from the inaugural WTA event.

"I will keep practicing," added Halep. "I really want to be able to play Wimbledon, but right now I have to take care of my body."

Halep is the defending champion at Wimbledon, having won the event in 2019 before it was canceled in 2020. Her injury problems only add to the questions around the top women going into Wimbledon.

Top-ranked Ashleigh Barty has not played since retiring with a hip injury during her second-round match at Roland Garros, though she is back training on grass. The player ranked behind Barty, Naomi Osaka, withdrew earlier this week.

Petra Kvitova, who has won two titles at Wimbledon, withdrew mid-tournament at Roland Garros with an ankle injury. The lefty is the top seed in Bad Homburg, where she drew a qualifier.