Simona Halep bids farewell to tennis after a painful 6-1, 6-1 defeat at the Transylvania Open, announcing retirement in an emotional on-court interview.
Simona Halep, the former world No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam champion, has announced her retirement from tennis after a devastating 6-1, 6-1 loss to Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti at the Transylvania Open in Romania.
The defeat, which came in just 59 minutes, marked a difficult start to Halep’s 2025 season. Despite receiving a wildcard entry into her home event, Halep struggled to find any rhythm on the court, securing only two games throughout the match.
In an emotional on-court interview, Halep shared her decision to retire, acknowledging the physical toll the sport had taken on her body. “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, fighting back tears. “I’ve always been realistic with myself and with my body. I know what it takes to be at the top, and it’s just too hard now.”
The 33-year-old also reflected on her remarkable career, which saw her rise to No. 1 in the world and claim multiple Grand Slam titles. “It’s a beautiful thing. I became world No. 1, I won Grand Slams, it’s all I wanted,” she added. “Life goes on, there is life after tennis.”
Halep has faced numerous setbacks in recent years, including a controversial doping ban that was later reduced to nine months, and persistent injuries. In a recent interview, she admitted, “I am old, I have injuries that I can’t recover from. My knee is not recovering.”
Halep’s retirement marks the end of an era for Romanian tennis, and while she may not compete professionally again, she has promised to continue supporting the sport. “I’ll come to the tennis here as often as I can,” she said, before closing with a hopeful message for her fans. “I hope that we will see each other again.”
As tennis says goodbye to one of its most accomplished players, fans will no doubt continue to celebrate Halep’s incredible legacy.
