Former world No. 1 Simona Halep has officially announced her retirement from professional tennis following a disappointing first match of the 2025 season. Halep’s comeback began at her home tournament, the Transylvania Open in Romania, where she received a wildcard entry. However, her return to the court ended in disappointment when she lost to Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti in a lopsided match that concluded with scores of 6-1, 6-1 in just under an hour.
During a heartfelt on-court interview post-match, Halep expressed her mixed emotions, noting the struggle between joy and sadness as she made the decision to retire. “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 explained. Halep emphasized the importance of being realistic about her physical condition and the challenges of reaching her previous competitive levels. Reflecting on her career, she shared, “Where I probably was, it’s very hard to get there, and I know what it means to get there.”
Halep’s desire to say goodbye on home soil was palpable as she addressed the crowd in Cluj. “That’s why I wanted to come here today in Cluj to play in front of you and say goodbye,” she stated. Acknowledging her poor performance in the match, she still expressed gratitude for the support of her fans, saying, “Even though my performance wasn’t very good, it was still my soul, and I’m very glad you came.”
She conveyed a sense of finality in her words, stating, “But for now, it’s the last time I’ve played here, and I don’t want to cry.” Halep took a moment to celebrate her storied career, which included being ranked world No. 1 and winning two Grand Slam titles, achievements she characterized as “a beautiful thing.” She reassured her supporters that while she would be stepping back from competitive play, her life would continue beyond tennis. “There is life after tennis, and I hope that we will see each other again,” she added. She expressed her intention to remain involved in the sport, stating, “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.”
Simona Halep, 33, has faced significant challenges in recent years, including a controversial four-year doping ban that was later reduced to nine months due to evidence pertaining to a contaminated supplement. Following this, her last competitive appearance on the WTA Tour was in October 2024 in Hong Kong. Although she participated in an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi in December, Halep opted out of qualifying for the Australian Open, citing persistent pain in her knee and shoulder.
In a recent interview with Romanian media outlet Golazo.ro, Halep candidly admitted that thoughts of retirement have frequently crossed her mind. “I am old; I have injuries that I can’t recover from. My knee is not recovering,” she stated, underlining the struggles she has faced both physically and mentally in attempting to return to top form.
As Halep steps away from the sport, her legacy remains prominent. Throughout her career, she has inspired countless fans and young athletes, demonstrating not only her exceptional talent on the court but also her resilience in the face of adversity. Her journey has been filled with highs, including her ascent to the pinnacle of women’s tennis, but it has also been marked by substantial challenges that ultimately led to this pivotal decision.
