Halep's MRI reveals herniated disk but 2018 not over yet

Simona Halep joins a growing list of players who have been hit by injuries late in 2018, including Serena Williams, Andy Murray and David Goffin, but her season isn't over yet.

In an announcement on Twitter, the world No. 1 told her fans that an MRI revealed a herniated disk in her back. Later, she spoke with the New York Times.

"I’m really positive in this moment, even with the injury. I feel the pain, but I’m confident that with exercises, recovery and physical therapy, that it’s going to be okay," Halep said. "It was really difficult to play in China because I didn’t know what I had.

"The problem is there, the disk has moved. But it’s not that dangerous. It’s not moving day by day. There’s no risk in further damage."

The French Open champion was injured while training for the Wuhan Open, where she lost to Dominika Cibulkova in the second round. She then aggravated the injury at the China Open, having to withdraw from her first round match against Ons Jabeur.

The 27-year-old has still got Singapore in her sights, where she hopes to clinch the year-end No. 1 ranking, but let's take a look at her high and low points of 2018.

1

Outlasted Sloane Stephens, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1, to win the French Open

2

Won both the singles and doubles titles at the Shenzhen Open

3

Defeated Stephens to win the Rogers Cup

1

Lost to Kaia Kanepi in the first round of the US Open

2

Lost to Hsieh Su-wei in the third round of Wimbledon

3

Lost to Agnieska Radwanska in the second round of the Miami Open