"I get energy from the crowd" says SImona Halep following another victory in Madrid

Tuesday, 03 May 2022 at 00:15

Updated at Saturday, 22 June 2024 at 20:09

Halep Simona MadridOpen2022 FlorinBaltatoiu

byZachary Wimer

So far, Simona Halep has been cruising through the 2022 Madrid Open draw, winning her third match in a row in only two sets.

According to her own words, Halep was close to quitting tennis, and it looks like not doing so was the best decision she could have made. At the WTA 1000 tournament in Madrid, she competes for the first time under new coach Patrick Mouratoglou, who made her continue playing.

The former world number one is yet to drop a set in the Spanish capital after beating Shuai Zhang, Paula Badosa, and now also Coco Gauff, who gave her a good battle, but ultimately lost 4-6, 4-6, despite having a 4-1 lead in the second set.

The Romanian player summarized the match when talking to the media afterward, admitting that she could identify some crucial moments, such as when the first set was tied at 4-4, when she broke her opponent's serve and ultimately won the opener 6-4.

"I think I played very well in the first set. When I stayed super focused at 4-All, that was really important ... that was the difference."

"The second set, she changed the tactics and she was super, super aggressive. It was really tough to return the balls, but then I just calmed down and I found the rhythm. I adjusted myself to her game, and in the end, it was super good that I could actually push her back a little bit."

In the next round, Halep will face another seeded player, and, this time, the eight-seeded Ons Jabeur, who she had played against three times already. The last two times, it was in Dubai, and the Romanian won the last four sets that she played against the Tunisian player.

"It's going to be a totally different match ... In Dubai, it was pretty tough because everybody [in the crowd] was with her."

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"I'm a different person" claims Simona Halep following another victory in Madrid

"She's different. She's a great person, first of all, because we get so well together. It's always nice to talk to her. But every time on court is a big fight, big battle. I'm expecting a big one next round."

The former world no. 1 also explained that it was the crowd that motivated her in Spain, despite also playing against a home player previously. Halep received the energy that she needed, and that's also one of the reasons why she'll play in the quarter-finals.

"But sometimes I get the energy also from the crowd, like here with Paula Badosa, so I don't struggle with that. I love the energy on court and I love the atmosphere. It's good to have people than not to have people, so it will be good."

"But I'm here just to give my best, as I said every day. I feel good on court, I feel my game. I'm just looking forward to play it and to fight for it."