What ties to Romania does the woman who brought Simona Halep back to the good world of tennis have
The Tournament of Champions kicks off tomorrow in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Although the contest in which the queen of the year in world tennis will be crowned has not had tricolor players for some time, a Romanian woman is involved in the organization of the competition. It is about Simona Halep, who was appointed one of the ambassadors of the tournament.
Garbine Muguruza is active at a high level in tennis. Photo Women's tennis blog
The former champion thus returns to the forefront of world tennis, after fighting the doping scandal in recent years. The one who chose her is a former rival from the WTA circuit, Garbine Muguruza, the director of the Tournament of Champions. This designated Simona Halep as ambassador of the competition, an honorary position, in which, together with Angelique Kerber and Ons Jabeur, she will participate in promotional activities for the competition.
Simona's first official action since retirement
The Romanian will answer the tennis fans, sign balls and take pictures with the fans, this being the first official action in the circuit after the retirement in February of this year. Throughout this period, Simo was also present at Wimbledon, as a spectator, of course at the invitation of the organizers and the British Royal House.
Simona Halep is one of the ambassadors of the Tournament of Champions. Instagram photo
What made Garbine Muguruza think of Simona Halep? In addition to the notoriety of our former sportswoman, probably also her connections with Romania. The Spanish star of Venezuelan origin confessed in the past that she always felt attracted to our country thanks to Ilinca, her best friend, whom she met at the Bruguera Tennis Academy.
Charmed by people, cakes and landscapes
A few years ago, while she was still active as a sportswoman, Garbine Muguruza spent 5 days in Romania and visited the Dâmbovicioara Cave, Piatra Craiului National Park, Bran Castle, staying at her friend's guesthouse in Fundata, Braşov county. In an exclusive interview for Adevărul, the winner of the 2021 Tournament of Champions confessed: “I have been to Romania 5 times, my best friend is Romanian, and when I was little I played in several competitions in Romania. As Ilinca is from Romania, I always had a small attraction towards this country”. She added that she was delighted by “cakes from Măgura, home-made jam or mutton telemeau”, but also of “modest people, who work hard and who manage to show you that they are happy that you came to visit their country”.
