Just days after revealing that retirement was a serious consideration, former world No. 1 Simona Halep shocked fans by making that consideration a reality far sooner than expected. The two-time Grand Slam champion announced the decision to leave the sport following a crushing defeat at the Transylvania Open in Cluj-Napoca, where she lost 6-1 6-1 in the first round to Lucia Bronzetti.
The 33-year-old has endured an incredibly tough journey over the last few years, battling through a torturous doping ban and a long, difficult fight to return to the WTA Tour. But her comeback has been plagued with setbacks, primarily due to a serious knee injury that has severely impacted her ability to compete at the highest level.
Since her return in March 2024, Halep has competed in only five tournaments, securing just one singles victory. Today’s defeat in Romania marked her first singles match of the 2025 season.
Simona Halep’s retirement speech, translated by the amazing @WTARomania account. pic.twitter.com/9EHrqDKG84
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) February 4, 2025
Despite her undeniable passion for the game, Halep had openly admitted that retirement was on her mind in recent months. In an emotional conversation with local reporters before her final match, she had said, “Of course I…
