In a deeply emotional announcement, Simona Halep, the two-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1, has revealed that retirement is on her mind more than ever. After a storied and often heartbreaking journey through the top ranks of women’s tennis, she admitted that her body is no longer keeping pace — but her heart still pulses with passion.
Speaking to the media, Halep reflected on how frequently she contemplates ending her career. “Of course I think about retiring … this goes through my mind very often,” she said, describing how ongoing knee and shoulder injuries have turned every comeback into an uphill battle. Tennis365 Despite the pain, she insists she’s not leaving the game with regrets. “Everything I have done in tennis has been extraordinary … I feel like a very fulfilled tennis player.” Tennis365
To fans and fellow players, Halep has always been a fighter. Her two Grand Slam titles — the French Open in 2018 and Wimbledon in 2019 — cemented her place in tennis history. She also reached the final of other major tournaments, proving time and again that she could rise to the biggest moments. Tennis365 But now, her injuries are forcing a reckoning she can’t ignore.
“I’m old, I have injuries that I can’t recover from,” she admitted, her voice heavy with realism. Tennis365 For years, Halep pushed through pain, refusing to let setbacks define her. Yet she acknowledges there’s only so much the body can take. The knee injury she battles is “a cartilage tear,” she revealed — a condition that refuses to heal quietly and has become a constant companion. Tennis365
And yet, even with tears and tireless rehab, Halep says she still has “many desires” for what comes next — not just on the court, but in life beyond tennis. “I would like to do something else, not just tennis,” she confessed, speaking to a longing that’s grown alongside her legacy. Tennis365
Her announcement wasn’t all sadness, though. Reflecting on a career that’s seen her at the very top, she said she makes this decision “with my soul at peace.” Tennis365 For a player who’s given everything to the sport — the sweat, the nerve-wracking matches, the triumphs and the heartbreaks — this feels more like a gentle bow than a forced exit.
Simona Halep’s story is one of grit, grace, and evolution. She didn’t just dominate — she inspired. And now, as she weighs her next chapter, she’s doing it on her own terms. A tennis icon may step aside, but her voice, her spirit, and her achievements will echo through the sport for years to come.
