“Don’t Have to React That Bad” – Simona Halep on Novak Djokovic’s Disqualification at US Open 2020

Simona Halep is making her second comeback since the resumption of the WTA Tour, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. She won the Prague Open, before deciding to skip the US Open 2020 due to the coronavirus concerns in New York City.

While she admitted that she could not watch most of the matches, including the disqualification incident of Novak Djokovic, Halep said the incident has made her more aware. At the same time, she said players should not react so aggressively as it is just a tennis match, at the end of the day.

What Simona Halep feels about the Novak Djokovic incident at US Open

“I was a little bit, like, whoa! We have to be really careful because people are around us,” Halep said during a media interaction at the Italian Open 2020. “We don’t have to react that bad during the matches, because its just a tennis match. But yeah, it was not nice for anybody.”

The aftermath of the incident saw Djokovic attract a lot of backlash. On the other hand, many of his colleagues termed the incident as highly unfortunate for the world number one.

Novak Djokovic has made a successful return to the court since the incident. He defeated Salvatore Caruso 6-3, 6-2 in his opening match at the Italian Open. He now faces countryman Filip Krajinovic.

On missing the US Open, Halep said she does not regret her decision.

“I do not have not regrets with my decision. Of course, I’m sad that I didn’t play, its normal. I feel my decision was great for the health issue and to feel relaxed inside. I always take these decisions related to myself, how I feel mentally and stuff like this.”

Winning run on clay

Simona Halep won her first match at the event comfortably. She registered a 6-3, 6-4 win over Jasmine Paolini, and will face Dayana Yastremska in the next round. Halep is on a six-match winning streak since the resumption of the Tour, which includes her title run at the Prague Open.

The world number two is the top seed at the Italian Open due to the absence of world number one Ashleigh Barty. She will retain her number one seeding even at the French Open 2020.