Halep gains consolation from No. 1 status
SINGAPORE: Simona Halep is still searching for her first Grand Slam title but the Romanian admits the consolation of ending the year as world No. 1 will help to motivate her for another tilt at a major title breakthrough next season.
The 26-year-old suffered a crushing defeat to an inspired Jelena Ostapenko in the French Open final in June, her second title-match loss at Roland Garros, but a win over the Latvian in Beijing this month took her to the top of the rankings.
“Well, I can say that it’s a great feeling that I can finish the year No. 1,” Halep told reporters at the WTA Finals in Singapore on Sunday after it was confirmed she would remain as No. 1 until the start of 2018.
“Of course, the best moment was on court when I won against Ostapenko in Beijing. But also it’s more special to finish the year, as we can see that less players finished the year as No. 1 in the world and I think it’s more difficult to do that.”
Halep, who failed to make it out of the round- robin phase in a Singapore tournament won by Caroline Wozniacki on Sunday, said she was relaxed now but expected the burden of the ranking to rise when the next campaign begins.
“Well, now I don’t feel any pressure because the season is finished but I can imagine that it’s going to be a little bit more difficult,” she added.
“I have to work harder to stay there but in my mind now is just to enjoy the moment and we will see.” — Reuters