Simona Halep, a former world number one and two-time Grand Slam champion, has announced her retirement from professional tennis at the age of 33.
The Romanian star made this emotional declaration following a first-round defeat to Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti at the Transylvania Open in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Halep, who has been grappling with knee and shoulder injuries, stated that her body can no longer meet the physical demands of the sport.
Halep’s illustrious career includes 24 WTA singles titles, highlighted by her victories at the French Open in 2018 and Wimbledon in 2019. She held the world number one ranking for a total of 64 weeks, finishing as the year-end number one in both 2017 and 2018. Known for her exceptional movement, defensive skills, and strategic play, Halep was a formidable presence on the court.
However, her career faced significant challenges. In October 2022, Halep was provisionally suspended after testing positive for the banned substance roxadustat during the US Open. She maintained her innocence, attributing the positive test to accidental ingestion. Initially handed a four-year ban, Halep’s suspension was reduced to nine months upon appeal, allowing her to return to competition in March 2024.
Reflecting on her decision to retire, Halep expressed a sense of peace and fulfillment. “I make this decision with peace of mind. In the end, it’s all worth it,” she stated. She also conveyed gratitude to her family, coaches, and fans for their unwavering support throughout her career. Halep plans to continue playing tennis recreationally but will step away from professional competition.
ELPA
