THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 26, 2022

Simona Halep

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Simona, how are your preparations going today?

SIMONA HALEP: Well, I just arrived yesterday. Today I had the first practice here.

I feel good and I feel happy to be back because I didn't play since 2019, so it's pretty exciting.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. It's a tradition here that the defending champion opens play on Centre Court each year. You didn't get the chance to do that in 2020. You didn't get the chance to do that in 2021. After Ash Barty retired this year, Wimbledon chose to put Iga to open play. Not that Iga doesn't deserve that honor, but how upset are you about not getting the chance to take part in that tradition?

SIMONA HALEP: I've said this too much to say. But I can say that I feel sad that I missed it because I was injured, so I couldn't really take the chance.

It would have been very nice to open the tournament. But my chance is gone. So probably in this life I can have another chance, so I will look forward to that.

Q. I was going to say, it's very simple: just win the championship again.

SIMONA HALEP: Not that simple, but I'm going to work for that (smiling).

Q. Where is your health and your game right now, your mind? How would you say you're feeling as Wimbledon gets ready to start?

SIMONA HALEP: Well, I feel good. I feel better. Day by day I'm improving. Healthy. Now I recovered in two days. It was enough to recover the neck.

I feel confident. I had good matches last week on grass. But on grass you never know. So I'm just looking forward for every day I practice here to get in shape, to get the feeling of the court. Now I have a connection with the court because in 2019 I played really well. So I have great memories.

I have a feel that I can play well on grass, but you never know. So I'm just going to take day by day. I'm looking forward already for the first match. It's going to be hopefully a good one.

Q. Emma Raducanu, what is her standing like in Romania? What's her standing in Romania?

SIMONA HALEP: Well, many people were following her when she won US Open. I feel like the country was happy for her. Her being half Romanian means a lot also for the Romanians.

Yeah, many kids are following her. I think she inspired many kids back in Romania, so it's a good thing for our country.

Q. Have you had a hit with her or spoken with her at all?

SIMONA HALEP: No, we didn't hit. Tried once but didn't work. We speak just a little bit. But we don't have long conversations. So, no, we are not friends; we are just colleagues on the tour.

Q. After you lost at the French Open, Patrick posted a very interested statement how it was all his fault, that he expected more from himself, he needed to do better. Did you know he was going to say that publicly? I'm curious how you felt about it. Did you feel like he wasn't up to your standards, wasn't doing his job as well as he could have?

SIMONA HALEP: Good question. Very good question (smiling).

Q. We'll leave the room, if you want.

SIMONA HALEP: (Laughter.) This is a good one.

Q. In America we would say, 'What the hell was that?'

SIMONA HALEP: Well, no, I would not say that he was not good enough like he wrote in the post. I was just panicking during the match. I didn't handle very well the pressure. I didn't know that he's going to post. He doesn't let me know what he posts.

But I was, yeah, surprised, shocked that he did that post and he took everything on him. But it was not on him. It was me, that I was not able to do better and to actually calm down myself when I panicked. But it was new for me as well and I was not good enough.

But we are much better than that day, after that day. We both probably learn some things about each other. Now we're going to handle better those situations like those.

Q. What is it at this stage of your career that you most want from a coach? You've had a couple, of course, very successful coaches. What are you seeking from a coach? How has it worked out as you've prepared for Wimbledon?

SIMONA HALEP: Well, honestly, I didn't expect to have this chance to work with Patrick when I went to his academy. I'm really honored to have him in my team. He's a great coach and he has a lot of experience. He worked so many years with the best player in the world for the whole time. The pressure is there that I have to be good.

But he gives me time. He's patient. He's supporting me in everything I do. He tries to understand me because I think this is the main thing that I want from a coach, to understand me, because I am pretty emotional most of the time. Yeah, he's doing great on that.

I feel I improve. Even if I didn't win much, I feel we need time to know each other better, to be able to put in practical everything he tells me. It's not easy to do it right away, but I'm sure and I'm confident that with hard work I will be able to do what he tells me.

Q. You got a tough first round draw against Muchova. Your thoughts on preparing for that challenge, for that match, on this surface especially which she likes?

SIMONA HALEP: Yes, a very tough first round. I know that she's playing very well. I know her very well. It's going to be a big challenge.

I mean, I have nothing to lose. This year I said that I will give myself time to improve as much as possible in what I have to. Last year was the most difficult year.

So I'm just trying to enjoy. Every time I step on the court, I believe that I have my chance. So I'm going to fight for it.

Q. You've had a lot of change within your team in the last few weeks, months, obviously Patrick coming in, also your wider team. What are the motivations behind that at this point in your career?

SIMONA HALEP: Well, after Doha, I felt like I cannot do this anymore. I was pretty down. I was exhausted. I didn't believe that I can be in the top again. So I felt really down.

But then I went to his academy without thinking that I might work with him because he was with Serena, so was really impossible to think about that.

But the vibe of the academy, all the kids from there that were at 8 a.m. on the court, like working hard. That desire to be one day a champion got me back, got the fire back that I still can play tennis, and I still love it.

That's why I'm here today, because of that vibe, because of going to the academy, because of meeting Patrick, who told me that he really believes I can go back.

So now I believe, and I work hard to see if I'm able one day to be back in the top.

Q. You had that panic attack, or the moment in Paris. How do you reflect on it now a few weeks later? Is there something you feel you've learned from it, the way you handled the situation, and thereafter?

SIMONA HALEP: Yeah, I think that was a good experience for me. Hopefully it doesn't happen again because I didn't like it.

It was coming from nowhere because I was leading the match. Probably just the pressure of the tournament, the fact that I struggled last year. I didn't believe that I'm strong enough probably.

But now I feel stronger and I feel that if it's going to happen again, I will know how to handle it. It's never easy. Like I said, I didn't have panic attacks on court before, so it was really tough to handle it.

Lately I think everyone goes through this with all the situation in the world, so I will not be hard on myself that I was weak in that match. I just take it as an experience and as a lesson so next time I'll be better.

Q. You've achieved huge things in this sport. If it all finished tomorrow, would you be entirely satisfied with what you've done or do you really feel there's perhaps one or two more big wins you'd like to get before you call it a day?

SIMONA HALEP: If I'm forced to stop tomorrow, I am very satisfied with everything I've done. But I don't want to stop (smiling).

I'm not thinking about that. I feel like I can improve more. I can be a better person, a better player on court, so I'm looking forward to do that.

But with all the results that I've done lately in those 10 years almost, I'm very satisfied and happy with the way I've been.

Q. Two things strongly associated with Wimbledon. Centre Court, if you remember the first time you were in there, and what stood out about it?

SIMONA HALEP: I was trying to remember when I came here because I knew I'm going to be asked. I cannot remember.

I remember matches, but I don't remember my first match on it. The last one was more important, so it's good (smiling).

Q. The other thing is the all white clothing, what you think of that. Do you wish maybe there can be more creativity?

SIMONA HALEP: No.

Q. Or do you like the tradition?

SIMONA HALEP: I love white, all white, here. I feel like this also makes this tournament special. So hundred percent for all white here.