“This Rule is Not Good at All”: Simona Halep Opens Up on Final Set Timeout at National Bank Open 2021

Tennis action has flooded the entertainment world with one too many enthralling encounters at the National Bank Open 2021. Fans are making the most of it as their favorites take to the court, in a bid to attain the all-important glory. However, the campaigns didn’t last long for some, despite a hard-fought effort for a win. Notably, Romania’s golden girl, Simona Halep, had her dream return cut short, exiting the Montreal event in her round two clash.

Returning to the court after an unprecedented break was former World No. 1, Simona Halep. Up against her was America’s 27-year-old Danielle Collins. Given the caliber of the Romanian, fans expected a rather triumphant victory from her. However, both the Montreal heat and the American athlete got the better of the returning star. Reflecting upon the happenings of her defeat, Halep opened up on a rather worrisome moment in the third set of her almost 3-hour long match.

“It was tough for me”- Simona Halep

The heatwave at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics had its excruciating effects on one too many players, forcing them to retire from the tournament. Now, it hasn’t even spare players in Canada, with Simona’s opponent Collins, its most recent victim. After battling for over two-and-a-half hours, the effects of the temperature began to show as fatigue on the American who took a medical timeout, breaking the momentum of the game.

Speaking on the same after her defeat, Simona said, “It was tough for me because after two hours & a half, to get more than 10 minutes’ break is not fair before the serve. I think this rule is not good at all…But credit to her because she played well.” 

She further added, “But some players, when they don’t trust they can win the game, they ask the medicals. Then they run better than before.”

Watch this story: Tokyo Olympics 2020: Medal Tally Update- USA Tops the Charts, China on Second

Need for improvement

Simona’s appearance in Montreal was a first since her outing in Rome. Back then, the 29-year-old unfortunately suffered a calf tear. Hence, the Romanian looked rusty coming back on-court and believes there is still room for improvement. She said, “This is it. I have to get better in that way. It happened to me in few matches already when in the end of the match, the opponent gets the medical and I can not physically stay there. Sometimes when you sweat a lot, you lose energy and the break is not good in that moment.”

Despite starting strong and winning the first set quite comfortably, Simona couldn’t keep up with Collin’s pacy attack. As a result, she fell victim to the jaws of defeat, losing the match 2-6, 6-4, 6-4. Ecstatic over her return, fans were now left disappointed, unaware of when they will see Halep next.

Read more: “Loves To Fight”: Eugenie Bouchard and Andy Roddick Heap Praise on Bianca Andreescu