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Simona Halep, the renowned Romanian tennis star and two-time Grand Slam champion, announced her retirement from professional tennis at the age of 33.
In a heartfelt statement following her first-round loss to Lucia Bronzetti at the Transylvania Open in Cluj-Napoca, Halep revealed that she had made peace with her decision.
“I am at peace with this choice. I am a realistic person, and I understand the immense effort required to reach the top.
My body and mind can no longer bear that level of strain. It is time to close this chapter,” said Halep. “Right now, all I want is rest. As an emotionally exhausted professional, I realize that without giving 100% each day, I can no longer compete at the highest level.”
With an illustrious career spanning over a decade, Halep leaves behind a remarkable legacy. She secured 24 titles, including Grand Slam victories at Roland Garros in 2018 and Wimbledon in 2019.
The former world No. 1 also held the top WTA ranking for 64 weeks, establishing herself as one of the greatest players in the sport’s history.
Halep’s professional journey began in 2010, and throughout her career, she amassed over $40 million in prize money.
Her career, however, was not without controversy. In October 2020, she was handed a provisional suspension due to a doping scandal.
A subsequent four-year ban was reduced to nine months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, allowing her to return to the court in March 2024. Despite a brief comeback, her results have not lived up to her previous dominance.
Her potential final match at the Transylvania Open, where she was defeated 1-6, 1-6, may mark the end of her tennis journey.
Roland Garros, where Halep triumphed in 2018, paid tribute to the champion on social media, stating, “Our 2018 champion, Simona Halep, has announced her retirement. We wish you all the best for the next chapter of your life, Simona.”
