World No 1 Simona Halep has admitted a back injury that ended her 2018 season early was "very scary", but she has recovered and is feeling fit heading into the new season.
The Romanian has not played since withdrawing from the WTA Finals in Singapore in October with a herniated disc, and said she did nothing for six weeks to get over it.
"It was very scary because it was below the back, so it's always dangerous. But I had treatment at home, I rested for about six weeks and I did nothing, just exercises for the back," she told reporters ahead of the Sydney International this week where she has a bye in the first round.
___________
Read more
Naomi Osaka blames 'childish attitude' for surprise defeat at Brisbane International
Maria Sharapova suffers injury setback ahead of Australian Open
Venus Williams calls for more women's matches at MWTC
___________
"I didn't have pain while I was practising this period, off-season. So now I feel confident and it's okay. But I need to see during the official match.
"I feel relaxed, I feel rested, I feel healthy with the back. But as I said, I didn't play a match yet so I don't know for sure how it's going to be."
The early finish to 2018 was a disappointing end to a spectacular season, which saw the 27-year-old secure the year-end No 1 ranking for the second year running.
She got off to a stellar start, reaching the Australian Open final and went on to win the Shenzhen Open, the Rogers Cup and her first grand slam title at Roland Garros.
But it was also a year in which she split with Australian coach Darren Cahill, who is taking a break to spend time with his family.
She is yet to replace him and doesn't plan to do so for at least the next few months.
"(Cahill) was a very big part of my career and I want to thank him for that. Together we won the grand slam that we always wished for," she said. "It's going to be tough. And it was tough, the off-season, without a coach, without Darren. But he decided this and I fully understood because family comes first always."
