the official retirement event! Press conference with Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina

UPDATE at 11:30 » Simona Halep: “I've been emotional since I stepped foot in Cluj”

It is an event full of emotion. I've been emotional since I stepped into Cluj this time because everything is about my career, about the people who supported me, about this beautiful audience that gave me the most beautiful moments, playing here in Cluj, for Romania, but also in the individual tournaments.

It's a pleasure, it's an honor, it's a joy. I want, in this way, to once again thank Patrick (no Ciorcilă, director of the Sports Festival) for making this event possible, this day that ends a cycle in my life, an important cycle, perhaps the most important so far. Tennis was my life. She is doing a great job with the Sports Festival and the WTA Tour. Congratulations, Patrick, good luck and we are waiting for as many events of this kind, beautiful, for Cluj and for those coming from other parts of Romania

– Simona Halep

I am ordinary, but this moment is extraordinary. Simo, we will miss you on the field, for what you have achieved, but also for the man you are. I would have hoped to continue, but today is all about you and we are glad to be here

– Andrei Pavel

UPDATE at 11:20 am » Simona Halep and Elina Svitolina received roses from a journalist

Simona Halep and Elina Svitolina received roses from a journalist. “Glory to Ukraine”, the journalist told the sportswoman from the 8th place in the world.

Simona Halep and Elina Svitolina received roses from a journalist/Photo: David Istrate (GSP.ro)

UPDATE at 10:35 » Press conference with Simona Halep

At 11 a.m., at the Radisson Blu hotel, there will be a press conference with Simona Halep, Elina Svitolina, Gael Monfils, Andrei Pavel and Patrick Ciorcilă, the director of the Sports Festival. At these moments, the final preparations and sound tests are being made, after which the protagonists of tonight's event will appear in front of the journalists

Radisson Blu, prepared for the press conference with Simona Halep and her guests/Photo: David Istrate (GSP.ro)

How did Friday go for Simona Halep, present in Cluj-Napoca

There is a lot of excitement in the air these days in Cluj-Napoca, where both the Sports Festival and TIFF are being held in parallel. After a rainy day on Thursday, Friday came with a lot of sun, with many games, with a parade of over 5000 athletes and with a concert by Loredana, between BTarena and Cluj Arena.

But, the culminating moment of the Sports Festival will take place tonight, at 5:00 p.m., in the Multipurpose Hall in Cluj. Simona Halep, who spontaneously retired from tennis in February 2025, at the Transylvania Open, will have a retirement match, which can be watched liveTEXT on GSP.ro and televised on PRO TV and VOYO.

On Friday, Halep participated in several actions in the festival: she gave interviews, signed autographs and took pictures. The biggest surprise was at the end of the athletes' parade, which ended on the plateau between BTarena and Cluj Arena. There, children and young athletes were awaited by Halep, who took the stage to their applause.

Then, the Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion was with Loredanain the concert he had. The artist made dedications to Simona and addressed several words of praise.

For Simona Halep, the evening ended in Piața Unirii, at TIFF, where Nadia Comăneci, the “Goddess of Montreal”, was also present.

Around midnight, on the official pages of the Sports Festival, images appeared from the arrival in Cluj of the couple Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina. The two, together with Andrei Pavel, are special guests of Simona Halep's retirement event.

Andrew Krasny, the famous American presenter, also arrived in Romania and contacted BTarena, posting on social networks a promise that he does not seem sure he will be able to keep: “I will not cry”.

At the event that will start at 17:00 is also expected Darren Cahill, Simona Halep's beloved coach. In an archipelago hall, an impressive show is announced, and the organizers have prepared several surprises for the spectators.

Until the time of the match, Simona Halep and her guests will participate in a press conference, and Elina Svitolina, the WTA number 8, and Gael Monfils, the former world number 6, will also participate in Sports Talks, where the public will be able to ask them some questions.

Simona Halep's track record

• 2 Grand Slam titles (Roland Garros, 2018 and Wimbledon, 2019)

• Australian Open Final

• Semi-final at the US Open

• 580-243 is the record of wins and losses

• 24 titles

• 64 weeks at #1 in the world

Born in Constanta, on September 27, 1991, Simona Halep was encouraged to practice tennis by her father, Stere. In 2006, she debuted as a professional player, but her rise in tennis began in 2013, when she won her first WTA titles.

In 2014, Halep reached the first Grand Slam final of her career and lost to Maria Sharapova. The Romanian continued to win titles, achieve very good results and entered the WTA top 10.

In 2017, Halep lost another final at Roland Garros and in 2018 she was beaten in the last act at the Australian Open as well. But, under the leadership of Darren Cahill, the athlete continued to fight for her dream and, in the same year, she won the first Grand Slam title of her career at Roland Garros.

A year later, Halep also triumphed at Wimbledonhaving a period in which he dominated tennis, being ranked 1st in the world.

In 2023, after the US Open, reports of anti-doping violations emerged and Halep was suspended. She appealed the decision and her appeal was upheld, but the break from tennis proved fatal.

At the end of 2024, Halep returned to the court, but did not reach her past level, and in February 2025, at the Transylvania Open, after a defeat against Lucia Bronzetti, he announced his retirement from tennis.