DPA/Stuttgart
Simona Halep likes to spend time in her native Romania but her success on the tennis courts around the world is making it more difficult for her to lead a normal life there.
This appears not to change in the foreseeable future as her meteoric rise continues in 2015 with a tour-leading three titles, including Indian Wells last month for what was her biggest career success.
Her place in the French Open final last year made her a household name in Romania, and she also reached the season-ending championships final, and the last four at Wimbledon in 2014.
“After the French Open it was a boom. Romania is a small country. I am recognised on the streets,” she told reporters yesterday at the Porsche Grand Prix.
I now have experience to manage the situation but it is not easy. There were a lot of things I had to adapt to off court, and relax myself. I used to be really stressed talking to you (the media),” she said.
The 24-year-old’s rise to fame started when she won her first four career titles within a few weeks in the summer of 2013. She continued strong in 2014 and this year has trophies from Shenzhen, Dubai and Indian Wells. She also reached the Miami semis, narrowly losing in three sets to world number one Serena Williams, and said she learnt a lesson from her Australian Open quarter-final meltdown against Ekaterina Makarova, 6-4, 6-0.
Now comes the start of the clay season in Stuttgart where she went out in the first round last year but this time has the chance to regain the world number two ranking from Maria Sharapova, and with a title would also be the season leader on points, passing Williams.
However, Halep is keeping her feet on the ground ahead of first season match on clay, a second-round date with Spain’s Garbine Muguruza, who has won both previous meetings, after a first-round bye. “Everything is different (on clay). I feel good on clay and I can win matches. But it will take a few matches,” she said.
“A tough match is awaiting me ... Everyone is playing good tennis on a high level in the world. So, it will be difficult. But I have my chance and I will fight for it for sure.”
The clay highlight is the Paris Grand Slam but that is far away in late may and Halep says “I don’t want to think about Roland Garros. Lets see what I can do there.”
For Halep, the main difference on clay is the slower speed which also leads to changes on the mental side.
“I will need a match to remember my style. You have more time to think on clay,” she said, adding that she does not believe in carefully crafted out pre-match plans. “I have a plan but not a strict one. I like to be creative,” she said.
Simona Halep
