Former world No. 1 Simona Halep announces retirement from tennis
In a poignant moment for the tennis world, former World No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep has announced her retirement from professional tennis at the age of 33. This decision came shortly after her first-round loss to Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti at the Transylvania Open in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Halep addressed the home crowd, stating, “I don’t know if it’s with sadness or joy — I think I’m feeling both — but my soul is at peace with this decision, and I’ve always been realistic with myself. My body can no longer handle as much as it used to, to get me where I probably once was.”
A Stellar Career
Simona Halep’s journey in professional tennis has been nothing short of remarkable. Born on September 27, 1991, in Constanța, Romania, she turned professional in 2006 and quickly ascended the ranks with her tenacity and skill. Halep first broke into the world’s top 50 at the end of 2011, reached the top 20 in August 2013, and entered the top 10 by January 2014. She was ranked as the world No. 1 in women’s singles by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) for 64 weeks, including as the year-end No. 1 in 2017 and 2018
Throughout her career, Halep secured 24 WTA Tour-level singles titles, including two Grand Slam victories: the 2018 French Open and the 2019 Wimbledon Championships. Her victory at Wimbledon was particularly memorable, as she defeated Serena Williams in the final, 6–2, 6–2, marking her second major title.
Challenges and Resilience
Halep’s career was not without its challenges. In October 2022, she faced a provisional suspension after testing positive for the banned substance Roxadustat at the U.S. Open. Initially handed a four-year ban, Halep appealed the decision, and the Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced the penalty to nine months in March 2024, acknowledging that her anti-doping rule violations were not intentio
Following her suspension, Halep made a return to the tour at the Miami Open in March 2024. However, persistent injuries, including knee and shoulder pain, hindered her performance. She withdrew from the Australian Open qualifying rounds in January 2025 due to these injuries. Reflecting on her physical challenges, Halep mentioned, “My body can no longer handle as much as it used to, to get me where I probably once was.”
Legacy and Impact
Simona Halep’s impact on tennis, particularly in Romania, is profound. She became the first Romanian woman to be ranked world No. 1 and the first to win a Wimbledon singles title. Her consistent presence in the top 10 from January 2014 to August 2021, spanning 373 consecutive weeks, underscores her dominance and resilience in the sport.
Beyond her on-court achievements, Halep was celebrated for her sportsmanship and connection with fans. She was named the WTA Most Popular Player of the Year in 2014 and 2015 and the WTA Fan Favorite Singles Player of the Year in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
A Graceful Exit
Announcing her retirement in front of her home crowd in Cluj-Napoca, Halep expressed gratitude and contentment with her career. She stated, “I don’t want to cry. It’s a beautiful thing. I became world No.1, I won Grand Slams. It’s all I wanted. Life goes on. There is life after tennis and I hope we will see each other again.”
As the tennis community bids farewell to one of its most dedicated champions, Simona Halep’s legacy will undoubtedly inspire future generations of athletes. Her journey exemplifies the virtues of hard work, resilience, and passion.