- Former world No 1 makes announcement to fans at home in Romania
- ‘I’ve always been realistic with myself and with my body
The former world No 1 Simona Halep on Tuesday announced her retirement from tennis after suffering a crushing defeat in her first match of 2025.
The 33-year-old got her season under way in her home event, the Transylvania Open 2025, in after being handed a wildcard. But the two-time grand slam title winner secured just two games as Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti, 26, won 6-1, 6-1 in just 59 minutes.
“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,” she said in an emotional on-court interview.
“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.
“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.
