Simona Halep Reflects on Tennis and Considers Retirement
Simona Halep, former WTA world No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam champion, has recently opened up about her future in tennis, revealing that she often contemplates retirement. The Romanian star shared her thoughts during a press conference in Cluj, where she is set to compete at the Transylvania Open in both singles and doubles alongside Ana Bogdan.
A Special Return to Cluj
Simona Halep expressed her excitement about returning to Cluj, a city where she has always felt welcomed. However, she admitted that her physical condition is not at its peak.
“I missed playing a little bit. It’s a special trip—whenever I come to Cluj, I am received warmly. Fortunately, the flight was short. My body isn’t in top shape, and I even caught a cold. But I want to enjoy my time here,” Halep stated.
She also compared the tournament atmosphere to that of the Fed Cup, as several Romanian players are participating, which adds to the experience. Despite her enthusiasm, she acknowledged that her lingering knee injury continues to trouble her.
Struggles with Injury and Uncertain Future
Simona Halep, who has faced multiple setbacks in recent years, admitted that returning to her peak form will be a significant challenge.
“The knee injury I have is quite serious and difficult to recover from. I don’t know if I’m afraid to push myself, but when I feel pain, it’s hard to play at my highest level. It’s very difficult to get back to where I was, especially after such a long break,” she explained.
Her struggles with injuries have led her to frequently consider retirement.
“The thought of retiring crosses my mind very often. I’ve reached an age where I have injuries that are hard to recover from. My knee won’t heal completely—I was advised to undergo surgery, but it’s a complicated procedure, and I don’t think I will go through with it. We’ll see what happens next. Life moves forward, and I’ll take things as they come,” Halep said.
A Fulfilled Tennis Career and New Aspirations
Despite the uncertainty surrounding her future in professional tennis, Simona Halep remains grateful for what she has achieved. She reflected on her accomplishments, which include winning the French Open in 2018 and Wimbledon in 2019, and reaching the pinnacle of women’s tennis as the world No. 1.
“Tennis is not everything in life. I have many desires and goals beyond the sport. Everything I have done has been extraordinary—I may not have even dreamed of becoming world No. 1 and winning two Grand Slam titles. I worked hard for it, and I feel fulfilled as a tennis player. Now, I want to do something else, not just tennis. The first part of my life was all about tennis; now, I want to explore other things,” she stated.
Praise for Darren Cahill
Simona Halep also took the opportunity to express her admiration for her former coach, Darren Cahill, calling him the best coach in the world.
“I say this with full conviction—Darren Cahill is the best coach at the moment,” she affirmed.
Competing at the Transylvania Open
Simona Halep arrived in Cluj on Saturday and will participate in the Transylvania Open, marking another step in her journey. Whether this tournament signals a farewell tour or a resurgence remains to be seen. For now, fans and the tennis community will watch closely as one of Romania’s greatest athletes navigates this new phase of her career.
[…] she still holds onto the gratitude for his teachings, speaking to the Romania publication Tikitaka, she said, “I say this with full conviction… Darren Cahill is the best coach at the […]
[…] she still holds onto the gratitude for his teachings, speaking to the Romania publication Tikitaka, she said, “I say this with full conviction… Darren Cahill is the best coach at the […]
[…] “I say this with full conviction… Darren Cahill is the best coach at the moment,” the 2019 Wimbledon winner told Romanian publication Tikitaka. […]