![](images/spacer.gif) |
Browse by Sport |
|
![](images/spacer.gif) |
Find us on |
![ASAP sports on Facebook](images/fb_icon.gif) |
![ASAP sports on Twitter](images/twitter_icon.png) |
|
![](images/spacer.gif) |
|
![](images/spacer.gif) |
|
![](images/spacer.gif) |
|
![](images/spacer.gif) |
|
![](images/spacer.gif) |
January 13, 2015
SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES
THE MODERATOR: Simona is going to withdraw with a gastrointestinal illness. Very much looking forward seeing you here, but understand these things do happen. We wish you the best of a speedy recovery for the Australian Open.
SIMONA HALEP: Thank you.
THE MODERATOR: We hope to see you back here next year.
Q. Did it come on in China, or...
SIMONA HALEP: Yeah, during the tournament in China I got this problem with my stomach. I feel like I cannot play. I was waiting till today to see if I'm ready or not, but I really cannot play.
So it's tough to start the tournament, and I decided to retire because I think it's the best way.
Q. Better to have this illness this week than next week?
SIMONA HALEP: Yeah. I hope to have ‑‑ what did you say?
Q. I guess the positive is you're sick this week and not next week.
SIMONA HALEP: A, yes, sure, because it's a Grand Slam. But I feel sad now because I cannot play this tournament. I came here to play all the tournaments so it's not good to stop.
I have to recover first myself and then to think about tennis.
Q. How many days have you been ill?
SIMONA HALEP: Few days already.
Q. Are you happy otherwise with your preparation going into Melbourne?
SIMONA HALEP: I didn't play for three days already, so, yeah, I had a good start in China. I played well match by match, and I feel prepared to start the Grand Slam.
But still first I am thinking to be ready to be recovered of myself, to feel better with my stomach, and then I have time to think about matches from Melbourne.
Q. What does the doctor say about how long it will take?
SIMONA HALEP: You never know with the stomach because it's something inside. I hope that two, three days more and then I will be ready to play again.
Q. I imagine take a lot of confidence out of last year?
SIMONA HALEP: Yeah, I am confident now after also China, because I won few matches there and it was a good start.
Last year I did some good results, but now it's another year, another start. So I have to be confident and to believe that I can do many more results.
But every match will be tough, and also the pressure will come.
Q. How was your off‑season?
SIMONA HALEP: Very good. I was home. Yeah, I stay with my family. I had Christmas at home.
So I was working very hard also with my fitness coach and with my coach. So everything went well. You know, I feel happy with my game now.
Q. Were you working on any particular part of your game?
SIMONA HALEP: Yeah. I can say that I worked with my serve and I was improving a lot. I saw first week in Shenzhen that I served better than last year. I was working on my body also to be stronger.
Yeah, it was a complete work, like everything I worked. Yeah.
Q. Were you ill during the final in Shenzhen?
SIMONA HALEP: Yeah, I was a little bit sick before.
Q. How difficult was it to get through that match?
SIMONA HALEP: I don't know how I played, to be honest. It was like I think adrenaline and I just wanted to win the tournament.
I didn't think about myself too much, just to play that match. I did it very well.
Q. I imagine you were dehydrated, because that's part of gastroenteritis.
SIMONA HALEP: Yeah, I am.
Q. Were you feeling dizzy on court?
SIMONA HALEP: I feel like I cannot play at this moment, so I have to rest.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
|
![](images/spacer.gif) |