“Best Match”: Simona Halep Details How She Steamrolled Over Serena Williams During Wimbledon Finals

Romanian tennis player Simona Halep is one of the top players on the women’s Tour. During her career so far, she has won 22 singles titles. She has ended the year as the top-ranked player on two occasions in 2017 and 2018. Since 2014, she has finished the season in the top four rankings. 

While Simona Halep was being interviewed by tennis legend and former great Chris Evert, the Romanian athlete reflected on her final against Serena Williams at Wimbledon in 2019. She mentioned the different challenges one has to face when up against the brutal American athlete. 

Speaking about that match, Simona said, “The final I have to admit I didn’t think much about who I have to play. If I did that then maybe I would have been a little bit dominated mentally because I have always been and I admit all the time that I admire Serena a lot. It’s always tough to face her. So I thought okay it doesn’t matter who I play, I have to get out there and do my job.”

Simona Halep states the challenges to overcome Serena Williams

Halep knew the importance of getting off to a good start was key to get an advantage over Serena. After that, the next task is when Williams begins to motivate herself by roaring after each point she claims. During those moments, the Romanian player knew she had to maintain focus and composure.

Revealing more about that match, Halep added, “I just went for it because I knew that the first games are very important with Serena and also the second important moment is when she starts to motivate herself and starts to scream a little bit and say come on, I have to be strong there. After I passed fighting these thoughts I was like now I’m safe, I can play. It was altogether very well for me on that day.”

Interestingly, after her win that day, it was Evert who had interviewed Simona and at that moment the Romanian athlete said, “It is the best match I’ll ever play.”

Reflecting on the current season, Simona lost to Serena at the Australian Open in the quarterfinal. Later, she competed at the Miami Open but withdrew due to a right shoulder injury. She is expected to compete at the WTA Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart this week. 

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