Simona Halep has recently opened up about the growing possibility of retirement, admitting that the thought crosses her mind “very often” as the weight of persistent injuries takes its toll on her career. Despite her resilience, the 33-year-old Romanian tennis star has been battling a series of setbacks that are becoming harder to manage.
After successfully overturning her doping ban and being cleared to return to professional tennis in February 2024, Halep’s comeback has been less than ideal. She has only competed in two WTA Tour matches since her return—suffering an early exit at the Miami Open in March and another early-round loss at the Hong Kong Tennis Open in October.
Halep, who was once the world No. 1, started the 2025 season well outside the top 800 in the WTA rankings. Though she was granted a wildcard for the Australian Open qualifiers, the hopes of a strong comeback were dashed when she withdrew due to persistent knee and shoulder issues.
With the limited play over recent years—Halep missed all of 2023 after serving a ban for testing positive for roxadustat following the 2022 US Open—she finds herself contemplating retirement more seriously. “Of course I think about retiring, and this goes through my mind very often. I am old, I have injuries that I can’t recover from. My knee is not recovering,” Halep admitted in an interview with Golazo.ro.
While she remains unsure of her next step, Halep has made it clear that her identity isn’t entirely tied to tennis. “I have always said that tennis is not life in its entirety. Of course, I still have many desires and goals in this life after tennis,” she reflected. Halep has already achieved more than most players dream of—two Grand Slam titles, including the French Open in 2017 and Wimbledon in 2018, and a career-high No. 1 ranking. Her 24 singles titles are a testament to her exceptional career, but with her body no longer able to withstand the rigors of the sport, the thought of life beyond the court is becoming more appealing.
Her knee injury, in particular, is a constant source of frustration. “My knee is still giving me a headache because it’s a cartilage tear and it’s not easy to manage. At the moment it doesn’t hurt, but I haven’t had any official matches either. That’s the problem,” Halep explained, emphasizing how difficult it is to balance the recovery process with the demands of professional tennis.
Still, there is a glimmer of hope for Halep’s supporters. She is set to make her 2025 season debut at the Transylvania Open, a home event for the former world No. 1, where she has been granted a wildcard. Halep will face Italian Lucia Bronzetti in the opening round, with a competitive field that includes the likes of Anastasia Potapova, Olga Danilovic, and Peyton Stearns.
Though retirement seems to be a looming reality, Halep’s determination to fight through her injuries and find joy in the game she loves remains evident as she embarks on what may be one of her final seasons.