In an emotional yet determined announcement, former world number one and two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep has bid farewell to professional tennis at the age of 33. The Romanian star, who has captivated audiences around the world with her incredible resilience and tenacity on the court, made the announcement after losing in the first round at her home event in Cluj, Romania. Halep’s career has been a testament to her dedication and love for the sport.
Despite delaying the start of her season due to knee and shoulder pain, she faced her home crowd at the BT Arena with grace and poise. “I don’t know if it’s with sadness or joy, I think I feel both, but I make this decision with my soul at peace. I have always been realistic with myself,” Halep told the crowd.
Acknowledging the physical toll that professional tennis has taken on her body, she added, “My body cannot take as much so as to get back where I once was. It is very difficult to get there, and I know what it means to get there. That is why I wanted to come to Cluj today to play before you and to say goodbye on the tennis court.
Who knows whether I will return, but at the moment it is for the last time that I play here. I don’t want to cry, it is a beautiful thing. I became world number one, I won Grand Slams, it is everything I ever wanted.
Life moves on; there is life after tennis too.” Halep’s journey to the top of the tennis world was marked by perseverance and triumph. After losing in three .