“Never Said I Would Stop Playing”: Simona Halep Reacts to Retirement Rumors

A season marred with injuries for the former world no.1 and two-time grand slam champion Simona Halep, who managed to reach the quarter-finals in-front of her home crowd at WTA Transylvania Open.

The Romanian, who fell out of top-10 rankings for the first time in seven years, had pulled out of Roland Garros and Wimbledon this year due to a calf injury she faced at the Italian Open.

However, Halep has been going strong at the home event as she reached the quarter-finals and will now face compatriot Jacqueline Cristian for a place in the last four.

Simona Halep wants to get match practice ahead of 2022 WTA season

With the opportunity to qualify for the WTA finals in Guadalajara already lost, the former world no.1 wants to play as many matches as possible ahead of the 2022 season.

“I just wanted to get the feeling back from playing official matches. I didn’t play much this year, and I really wanted to get that feeling back, and the confidence, as well. These are the only goals”, mentioned Halep.

Sep 1, 2021; Flushing, NY, USA; Simona Halep of Romania hits to Kristina Kucova of Slovakia (not pictured) on day three of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

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The Romanian continued, “I’m improving, day by day. I feel more confident during the tournaments and matches. I think I’m starting to feel my best game again.”

At the start of the European clay-court swing, Simona Halep was expected to rule the roost amongst other players on the WTA circuit but an unfortunate calf injury during Italian Open contest against Angelique Kerber ruined her chances of making it big at Roland Garros.

Halep got married to long-time boyfriend Toni Iuruc last month

On the personal front, the Romanian got married to long-time boyfriend Toni Iuruc last month in a private ceremony. Halep also responded to the speculations concerning her retirement post-marriage.

Aug 17, 2021; Mason, OH, USA; Simona Halep (ROU) returns a shot against Magda Linette (POL) during the Western and Southern Open tennis tournament at Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

“Many people were talking about that, but I never said I would stop playing after the wedding party. I’m still motivated and still love tennis. My husband is next to me all the time, and I’m happy to stay on court, and play matches”, concluded the two-time major champion.

Despite multiple injuries hampering her season, Simona Halep has made an injury-free comeback to the WTA tour starting with the Canadian Open. The Romanian would want to have as many matches as possible under her belt before staring the 2022 WTA season.

Also read: “Take Game by Game”: Simona Halep Dreams of Winning at Her Home Country

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