In an emotional moment that brought both tears and applause, two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep officially announced her retirement from professional tennis at the age of 33. The announcement came moments after her first-round loss at the Transylvania Open in her home country of Romania — a symbolic and heartfelt setting for the end of an extraordinary career.
Facing Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti, Halep fell 6-1, 6-1 in front of an adoring home crowd in Cluj-Napoca, but the scoreline mattered little. What resonated was the message she shared moments later, microphone in hand, her voice steady but emotional.
“I don’t know if it’s with sadness or joy — maybe both,” Halep confessed. “But my soul is at peace with this decision. I’ve always been honest with myself, and the truth is that my body can no longer handle what it once could.”
Halep’s words carried the weight of a journey defined by grit, grace, and resilience. After serving a doping suspension that sidelined her from the sport, she returned determined to compete again. But injuries and the physical toll of years on tour proved too much. Still, she wanted her final match to take place at home — in front of the Romanian fans who had supported her since she was a young prodigy with big dreams.
“It’s very hard to reach that level, and I know what it takes to get there,” she said. “That’s why I wanted to be here today, in Cluj, to say goodbye on the court, even if my performance wasn’t great.”
Halep leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond her French Open (2018) and Wimbledon (2019) titles. She inspired countless young athletes with her fighting spirit, humility, and love for the game. Though her racket now rests, her story remains one of perseverance, redemption, and grace — a true champion’s farewell.