The president of the Professional Tennis Players Association (WTA), Steve Simon, said that Simona Halep is an exemplary athlete, after the Romanian became the 25th leader of the WTA ranking, on Monday, after playing the final of the tournament in Beijing. “Being number 1 in the WTA world ranking shows incredible dedication and commitment and I want to congratulate Simona for this achievement. Simona is an exemplary sportswoman, on and off the field, and with this extraordinary season she deserves such a fantastic moment in her career,” said Simon, quoted by the WTA website.
Halep (26 years old) on Monday dethroned Garbine Muguruza (Spain), who spent four weeks in the world number one position after the US Open. Simona Halep played the 27th final of her career in Beijing, becoming the first Romanian WTA world leader and the 25th leader of the hierarchy introduced in 1975. Among the 15 titles won by the Romanian, there are also three Premier Mandatory titles (2016 and 2017 in Madrid, 2015 in Indian Wells), Halep having won at least one title in each of the last five years. The Romanian also played two Grand Slam finals, in 2014 and 2017, both lost at Roland Garros.
It was the most difficult year, but also the best,” Halep said after securing the world number one spot. “At the beginning of the season it was very difficult, I was injured and I didn’t think I would get to play in Singapore (at the Tournament of Champions, n. ed.). So now (qualified) and world number one is amazing. I can forget everything that was and enjoy this moment”, emphasized Halep.
Halep has a record of 44 wins and 15 losses this year, which has seen her play in finals in Rome, Roland Garros, Cincinnati and Beijing, in addition to the title in Madrid. Simona Halep will receive the trophy for WTA World No. 1, which contains a tennis ball representing the universe of tennis, on which diamonds are encrusted, each representing a champion of this sport.
