‘Only One Who Dominated’- Simona Halep Pours Down Series of Accolades on Rival Serena Williams as Her Farewell Tour Begins

Serena Williams has set the bar so high that it will take decades to see someone of such a high caliber on the court again. The 23-time Grand Slam champion has engraved her name on the sport forever through her dominance over the past two decades. However, now she is ready to let go and evolve outside of tennis.

Though people were aware of the day being close, the announcement still took most of the tennis fraternity by surprise. Further, as Williams has always been a caring, and down-to-earth person, her biggest competitors also sent emotional wishes her way.

Simona Halep about Serena Williams’ retirement

The Romanian star recently addressed Williams’ retirement. In her post-match press conference after a victory against Jil Teichmann, Halep spoke about playing in the presence of the American. She said, “Well, it was an honor to play so many matches against her and to share the locker room with her.”

“She’s been an inspiration for everybody and for me, too. I said this always. I admired her, the power to stay there so many years, to win so much. She’s 40, and she’s still like fighting for the match. It’s unbelievable.” Halep added.

Thereafter, she opened up about the void that the former world no.1’s goodbye will create. The Romanian tennis ace confessed, “she was the only one who dominated tennis few years in a row. And I think that’s not going to happen again.”

Further, she was asked if she ever aimed for the milestones that the seven time Wimbledon champion claimed. An overwhelmed Halep replied, “I knew that I have no chance. But every time I played her, it was a moment that I had to learn some things.”

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The 30-year-old advanced in the Canadian Open after thrashing the Swiss in straight sets of 6-2, 7-5 in the round of 16. Speaking of Williams, bid adieu to the hard courts of Canada after failing to reach the last 16 of the tournament, as she lost to Belinda Bencic.

The final stretch of Serena’s career

The seven-time Wimbledon Champion is two tournaments away from her retirement. Therefore, she must be prepping up to end her career in the same style as Pete Sampras, by winning the US Open.

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Williams has planned to play her last match in front of her home crowd. However, before that, she will oil her skills in the WTA 1000 event in Cincinnati. The 40-year-old will be eyeing her third Cincinnati Open trophy this year. However, considering her last triumph came in the year 2015, it might be a difficult task for the legend.

Do you think Serena can defy the odds and claim the last two trophies of her career in Cincinatti and New York?