Twenty-two-year-old Simona Halep has made it big, both for her career and her country of Romania. By virtue of reaching her biggest career semifinal at the Premier-Mandatory BNP Paribas Open, the seven-time WTA titlist Halep will become a Top 5 member for the first time, which is also the highest ranking ever of any women’s player from her country.
How does she do it?
I don’t keep my mind off tennis, out of tennis [smiling]. I’m thinking every day about tennis. And I like tennis, so it’s not difficult for me.
What’s her next goal?
Of course, to win a Grand Slam, something that her compatriot and manager Virginia Ruzici achieved in 1978 by winning the French Open. Ruzici is the only Romanian who has won a Grand Slam and actually one of her paychecks inspired Richard Williams to have two more children and focus them on tennis! (photo: Ralf Reinecke)
Simona Halep is having quite a year.