Badosa, Jabeur and others pay tribute to Halep as Romanian calls time on tennis career
Simona Halep played her final match on February 4, 2025, at Transylvania Open, losing to Lucia Bronzetti in straight sets
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After her final competitive match on the WTA Tour on February 4, 2025, Simona Halep tossed her racquet to a fan watching her from the buzzing stands at the Transylvania Open. On any other day, it would have been an ordinary giveaway but on Tuesday, it meant more.
It confirmed Halep was officially done with the weight of expectations that burdened her every time she stepped inside a tennis court holding her stringed weapon. And she did it all with a beaming smile.
“I don’t know if it’s with sadness or joy, I think both feelings are trying me,” she told the home crowd in Cluj after losing 6-1, 6-1 to Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti in the first round (translated). “But I’m making this decision with my soul in sin and I’ve always been realistic with myself, my body. It doesn’t take that long to get where I probably was. It’s very hard to get there and I know what it means to get there.
“That’s why I wanted to come here today in Cluj to play in front of you and say goodbye on the tennis field. Even though my performance wasn’t very good, it was still my soul. I wonder if I’ll come back again but for now, it’s the last time I’ve played here and I don’t want to cry, it’s a beautiful thing. Life goes on, there is life after tennis and I hope we will see each other again.”
The Romanian mesmerised tennis fans for 18 years which saw her claim 24 singles titles, including two Grand Slams (2018 Roland Garros and 2019 Wimbledon), and spent 64 weeks as the world No 1. Moreover, she etched her name in history by becoming only the second Romanian woman to lift a Major trophy.
Thus, it’s imperative to celebrate the two-time Grand Slam champion’s career at a time when she walks away from professional tennis for good, leaving behind a legacy of perseverance, passion and success. And the tennis world didn’t miss the chance, with the likes of Paula Badosa, Ons Jabeur, Billie Jean King and other notables paying tributes to the former world No 1.
“It was an honor” – Jabeur’s farewell Message to Halep
Virginia Ruzici, the first Romanian woman Grand Slam champion (1978) Roland Garros, wished happiness for Halep in the second phase of her life.
“I have known Simona since she was a junior and had the privilege to work with her, as her manager, for 14 years,” Virginia Ruzici told the WTA. “Her incredible talent and professionalism brought her to No. 1 in the world, and along the way she touched us with her fighting spirit and sense of fairness. I wish her all the best for a well-deserved, happy new life.”
Jabeur, who’s tied at 2-2 in the head-to-head against the Romanian, took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote:
“Congrats [Simona Halep] for an amazing career. It was an honor sharing the court with you. Wishing you all the best for the future.”
Halep’s childhood friend and fellow Romanian Sorana Cirstea penned an emotional note on the occasion:
“We know each other since we were 7 years old and shared so much. So tonight I cried because a piece of me went with you. THANK YOU for everything you have done for our sport, for Romania and for us. Enjoy this new chapter of life champ and see you soon on the other side.”
Ana Bogdan, with whom the retiring star took the court in doubles a day before her retirement match, highlighted Halep’s impact on Romanian tennis.
“She had a huge impact. I think she opened the doors for all of us,” Bogdan told Tennis Channel. “She gave us a lot of confidence when she got to the top 10, won the Grand Slam and she showed us that we can do it. It doesn’t matter where you come from, doesn’t matter you come from a small country. And trust me, we didn’t have all the great facilities when we started to play tennis and she really showed us to play with the heart and work hard for what we want to achieve. I’m so grateful I got the chance to share the court yesterday with her. I told her actually that I wish we did that earlier, we could have played more doubles together.”
World No 10 Paula Badosa, who met the Romanian thrice on the tour and trails 2-1 in the head-to-head, expressed her admiration for the latter, writing:
“Simona wish you all the best in your new chapter! You were a big big inspiration for me. Your tennis and fight would be missed. Happy life champion.”
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