MELBOURNE SUMMER SET

January 3, 2022

Simona Halep

Press Conference

Q. How does it feel to be back in Melbourne?

SIMONA HALEP: It's great to be back here. I've always played well, and I like the atmosphere, I like the vibe, so it's a pleasure to be here, and hopefully I can play good tennis.

Q. Obviously Melbourne is the scene of some great memories for you. Can you just talk about how those memories drive you forward into a new season?

SIMONA HALEP: Well, the vibe of the crowd is always nice, and always I've felt like I have to push extra to win every match I play, and from 2018 I have great memories, the battles that I had on the court were really important for me, and the fact that I won those matches made me stronger mentally and also as a player.

It's great. The court I like, the facilities here are great. Every time they are improving and they do a great job.

Now we feel safe, no restrictions, so it's kind of back to normal, and I'm really happy that I can be here even if I'm over 30, and I give a chance to myself to play good tennis here.

Q. Last year was kind of a challenging season in some ways with injury. How are you feeling now?

SIMONA HALEP: Now I feel good. I feel fit. I feel healthy. I have worked a lot in the off-season back home. I came here early one week before, so I did everything I've had to do. I've been very professional. Now I just want to start the tournament and to have some matches.

Q. Have you set any goals for the season?

SIMONA HALEP: Well, it's tough because I had a tough injury last year, and I lost the official match feeling, but I know that with patience it will come back, and my expectations are just to make the schedule that I want, to work hard and to be professional. If I am like that, then the results will come.

Q. Can I get you to talk a little bit around Darren Cahill and the decision to split with him. Obviously there's a lot of interest in you over the years because of that relationship.

SIMONA HALEP: Yeah, well, it's been a great relationship, and he's still my friend and we are friends. He was kind of my family, so I cannot just call him a coach. He teached me many things outside the court, also how to live easier, how to live more relaxed like all the Australians do, and with him I won the Grand Slam that I really wanted, and I jumped to the next level with his help, so always I will be very thankful to him.

I heard he's around, so I can't wait to see him. The decision was from both sides, and there was probably too much time together as coach and player, and sometimes you have to break that. But we are in a good connection still, and I'm really thankful that he's been in my career.

Q. Maybe discuss previously when you had a little break that you kept in touch with him and he was still sort of helping you out here and there. Is that still something you'll do or is it a clean break?

SIMONA HALEP: No, now it's a clean break. Back then in 2019 was different, but now is a clean break, and I have a team now, different team. I have a coach who coaches, and hopefully he will get a player and he will come on tour again.

Q. Can you just kind of walk us through a little bit of the off-season and preseason, like how much time did you feel like you were able to get away from tennis, and when did you start the preparations for this week?

SIMONA HALEP: Well, not much because I was injured during the year and I had to stay about four months without tournaments, and after I finished in Linz, I just took 10 days because of the knee. I was a little bit worried, so I had to stay 10 days away from tennis, but then I started straightaway because I really wanted. I was really motivated to get back on court and to prepare myself as much as possible for the new season.

I didn't have any breaks since then, and I came here early. I feel ready, but you never know in tennis. I'm really waiting to play some matches.

Q. Do you feel as though since you've been in Melbourne and practicing getting reacquainted with the courts, the balls, the conditions, and also playing points, maybe sets with other players, are you feeling good about where you are at tennis-wise at this point?

SIMONA HALEP: Yeah, I'm feeling good. In practice I'm really good. I win some sets. I practice more than normal. I can stay two hours a day on the court, which was not easy in the past. Yeah, I see the tennis different in this stage of my life, and it's more joy, so I'm more relaxed. I don't put pressure on myself, so I will try to keep that during the matches, which is not easy, but I'm here just to give my best chance, so we will see.

Q. Simona, I'm not sure if you caught up on the comments that Garbine Muguruza made overnight in Spanish press, but she talked about that the tour is no longer Serena Williams's domain, and that the women's tour now is as competitive as it's ever been. Do you feel the same way about it, and you've mentioned a few times about life after 30 for you. What do you think you can still achieve?

SIMONA HALEP: Yeah, I think there is nobody like Serena that is dominating tennis like she did. Definitely that. Everyone can see that.

I feel like anyone from top 10, also over top 10, can win a Grand Slam or a tournament. Yeah, there is no big difference between these players in the top. I feel that I have my chance, of course. That's why I'm still playing. But I don't think about that anymore, that much as I did in the past.

Now everything is coming is coming as a bonus, and I'm trying to enjoy more the tennis, not the results.