"I couldn't do it anymore, I was done with tennis" - Halep opens up about finding love for tennis again

| by Evita Mueller

Simona Halep dominated Qinwen Zheng in the opening set, but dropped the next two sets 2-6 1-6, resulting in an MTO after the second set.

She later explained that she had a panic attack on the court, which made it extremely difficult for her to focus after it passed. Simona Halep did not appear surprised and calmly described it after the match. A few hours later, she also shared a message with her fans where she opened up about recent events, stating:

"I’m writing down these words because I feel like sharing with those who care. As always, I feel such great support from my fans, and I’d like to say thank you to all of you! You are great! You are supporting me unconditionally, and this means a lot! I’m generally not a dramatic person, and I hope I don’t sound like this by writing these words now."

"Just a panic attack" - Halep on falling apart against Zheng
"Just a panic attack" - Halep on falling apart against Zheng

"The last 18 months were very tough, emotional, and physical. After losing in Doha, my message to the people very close to me was that I could not do it anymore, that I was done with tennis. But somehow, I got the fire back and started to feel the love for tennis again, and I decided to work hard and make significant changes."

"I am very proud of myself for all I have done lately. I could only do this with Patrick’s help, and I want to thank him for being by my side. The results are tough of course because the expectations are high. I’m a grand slam winner, I’m a former number 1, and I am expected to win."

"But nothing should be taken for granted. To be able to touch the highest mountain in tennis again, I need time and a lot of hard work. It is not my personality to give up, so tomorrow is a new day and I'll be ready to start again!"

"By the way, now I know how it is to have a panic attack; not easy to handle, but I’m over it now, and I am smiling already!"

Simona Halep crashes out of Roland Garros against Zheng
Simona Halep crashes out of Roland Garros against Zheng

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