While Serena Williams' return to Indian Wells is hogging all the attention, world's No. 3-ranked Simona Halep has her own drama.
Halep is playing despite the suicide of a family member, tennisworldusa.org reported earlier this week.
Simona Halep's former coach says boredom, language issues caused breakup
According to the report, Halep's cousin, 29-year-old Nicia Arghir, hanged himself in his home office in the Romanian province of Costanta. No foul play had been suspected initially, but the investigation is ongoing
Speculation had been growing that Halep was considering whether to withdraw, but she remains committed to playing.
Simon Halep disposes of coach despite rise to No. 3 during collaboration
The No. 3 player, who has moved from No. 47 in the world in 2012, has won two of the three tournaments she has entered in 2015 - the Shenzhen Open in China to start the year and the Dubai Duty Free Championship last month. She was bounced in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.
Hale parted ways with her coach that helped her achieve her No. 3 ranking - Wim Fissette. She said she felt more comfortable working with a Romanian coach that she felt would provide a better connection. She now is working with Victor Ionita, who is Romanian, although Thomas Hogstedt also is working with her.
Fissette, meanwhile, has joined forces with Victoria Azarenka, the former No. 1 player now ranked 38th after coming back from injury.
Halep looks to break through in Grand Slams in 2015 after reaching the finals of the French Open last year. She also was a Wimbledon semifinalist last year.
By staying entered at Indian Wells, Halep has a chance at Williams, who is making first appearance there since 2001.
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