Halep slams the demons
Williams whipped by a near-perfect exhibition
HARSH lessons, Darren Cahill’s influence and flawless preparation are behind Simona Halep’s rebirth.
The Romanian delivered near perfection in a 6-2 6-2 whipping of Serena Williams in the Wimbledon final, committing just three unforced errors against the champion.
But as Halep wiped away tears of joy to acknowledge former coach Cahill, she revealed how the heartbreak of three losses in major finals transformed her career.
“The finals I lost in the past helped me, for sure, to be different when I face this moment,” she said. “It’s never easy to face a grand slam final. You can get intimidated by the moment. You can get nervous, too nervous.
“I have learned that it’s a normal match, not thinking that much about the trophy, just going there and try to be the best as you can. So I did that.”
Halep was beaten in two French Open finals and an Australian Open final before breaking through at Roland Garros last year.
“I have to admit, I believed more that I’m able to win another one,” she said. “Once you win one you have the feeling you know how it is. You treat it a little bit easier, let’s say. It’s never easy, but you treat it a little bit easier.
“Yeah, I was motivated after I won the first one that there is another chance.”
One of the prime motivations on Saturday night, when she played the match of her life, was Cahill.
The master South Australian coach worked with Halep from 2016-18 before taking this year off from coaching.
At Wimbledon in a commentary role, he was courtside at Halep’s pre-match practice.
“Of course, Darren is part of this. I talk with him all the time,” Halep said.