The last service for the former world leader. Simona Halep, celebrated in Cluj in an emotional gala match
The former world number 1, Simon Halep, one of the most successful Romanian tennis players, is participating in the retirement gala match on Saturday.
The 7th edition of the Sports Festival, held this year between June 11-14, in Cluj-Napoca, hosts the official retirement event of the Romanian tennis player Simona Halep, according to Agerpres.
At the age of 34, Simona Halep will officially end her career on Saturday, in Cluj-Napoca, through a special event attended by other white sports personalities. She announced her retirement from tennis on February 4, 2025.
The gala match takes place on Saturday 13 June from 17:00 at the BT Arena. The event brings together again on the court some of the athletes who have marked, directly or indirectly, the course of Simona Halep in the professional circuit.
Elina Svitolina, Gaël Monfils, Andrei Pavel and Darren Cahill were announced, and the presentation of the event will be made by the famous Andrew Krasny and Andi Moisescu, according to a statement sent by the Sports Festival organizers.
Elina Svitolina, one of the tennis players with whom Simona Halep wrote some of the most important duels of her career, said that she is very happy to come to Cluj-Napoca “to celebrate the amazing career of Simona Halep”. “It will be something special to step again, together, on the same field,” said Elina Svitolina, quoted in the press release.
Australian Darren Cahill, one of the most respected coaches in world tennis, is the one with whom the athlete achieved the greatest performances of her career, including her first Grand Slam title, Roland Garros 2018, and the world No. 1 ranking.
The coach described Halep as an incredible player, “a real pride”, adding that he was delighted to be with her to celebrate an extraordinary career.
“I can't wait to return to Romania, in Cluj-Napoca, for the Sports Festival, on June 13! An opportunity to celebrate an extraordinary champion. Simona is a real pride for herself, her family and the way she built her career, through a lot of work. And the most important thing is that Simona has done everything her way throughout her career. Two-time Grand Slam champion, two-time world leader at the end of the year and a incredible player who has spent most of her career in the world top 5! We will have the chance to be together and celebrate a truly extraordinary career,” said Darren Cahill.
The former WTA leader Simona Halep received the title of Honorary Citizen of the Municipality of Cluj-Napoca, on Thursday, after a unanimous vote in the City Council, according to News.ro.
Simona Halep is the first Romanian to become the leader of the WTA ranking, occupying the first position in the women's world tennis hierarchy for 64 weeks in total, between 2017 and 2019, according to the official WTA website.
He was born on September 27, 1991, in Constanța, and graduated from the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, within the Ovidius University.
He started playing tennis at the age of 4 and a half, with his older brother, and at 16 he moved to Bucharest to pursue his career in tennis.
Throughout her career, Simona Halep won a total of 24 tournaments, including two Grand Slams, at Roland Garros, in 2018, and Wimbledon, in 2019, being the WTA leader for 64 weeks.
