Simona Halep has officially announced her retirement from professional tennis, bringing an end to a remarkable career that will be remembered for far more than just her impressive achievements on the court.
In an emotional statement, Halep confirmed that her ongoing struggle with a persistent knee injury had led her to the decision to step away from the sport. The announcement came after she was defeated 6-1, 6-1 by Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti at the Transylvania Open, playing in front of her home crowd. Although Halep had hinted at this moment before the match, it was during the post-match address on court that she delivered her decision with poise and dignity.
“Tonight, I don’t know if it’s with joy or sadness, I think both feelings are trying me but I’m making this decision with my soul,” Halep expressed. “I’ve always been realistic with myself and with my body. Where I probably was, it’s very hard to get there and I know what it means to get there. That’s why I wanted to come here today in Cluj to play in front of you and say goodbye.”
Despite her underwhelming performance, Halep was grateful for the chance to play in front of her fans. She continued, “Even though my performance wasn’t very good, it was still my soul and I’m very glad you came, and I’ll wonder if I’ll come back again. But for now, it’s the last time I’ve played here and I don’t want to cry.”
Reflecting on her illustrious career, Halep acknowledged the highs, saying, “It’s a beautiful thing. I became world number one, I won grand slams, it’s all I wanted. Life goes on, there is life after tennis and I hope that we will see each other again.”
She also noted that while her career on the court had come to a close, she would remain connected to the sport, adding, “I’ll come to the tennis here as often as I can and of course, I will continue to play – but to be competitive it requires much more and at this moment it is no longer.”
Her farewell to Romanian tennis fans, as she left the court, was filled with emotion and perhaps a sense of regret, as the final years of her career were marred by unfortunate setbacks. Halep’s legacy will certainly be defined by her two Grand Slam victories – her 2018 French Open triumph and her Wimbledon win in 2019. Yet, her career will also be shadowed by the doping scandal that surfaced late in her journey.
In September 2023, Halep was handed a four-year ban after testing positive for roxadustat, a substance used to treat anaemia, as well as for irregularities in her blood passport. Though the Court of Arbitration for Sport later reduced the suspension to nine months, the controversy surrounding the ban and the drawn-out appeal process sparked considerable debate. The case became especially notable following similar incidents with other top players, such as world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and Iga Świątek, both of whom faced doping allegations but were allowed to continue their careers after their suspensions.
Halep’s legal battles kept her off the court for well over a year, and by the time she was cleared to return, her body had already betrayed her. This difficult chapter in her career was further compounded by doubts over the validity of her doping test and the subsequent ruling, leading some to question whether the former world No. 1 had been unfairly treated.
Regardless of the controversy, Halep’s rise from Constanța, Romania, a country without extensive funding for young tennis talent, remains an inspiring part of her story. She defied expectations, overcame early physical obstacles, and eventually reached the pinnacle of the sport. Her unforgettable victory against Serena Williams in the 2019 Wimbledon final stands as a testament to her grit and determination.
Halep leaves the sport with more than $40 million in prize money, and an immense legacy that extends beyond the trophies. Though there were setbacks in the latter stages of her career, she certainly achieved more than many could have imagined when she first picked up a racket. That said, like many athletes, there’s one part of her journey she wishes she could rewrite, leaving behind a bittersweet feeling as she bids farewell to the game.