This should be Simona Halep. Covid wiped out the 2020 championships & unable to play last year due to injury so Ash Barty was given the honor. With Ash retired, the privilege and honor should go back to Simo. She has earned it as 2019 champ. 🙏
Cahill Argues Halep Should Play Opening Women's Match On Wimbledon Centre Court
WTAThursday, 23 June 2022 at 14:30
Updated at Saturday, 03 August 2024 at 06:52
Due to Ashleigh Barty's retirement, the defending champion will not open the women's singles at Wimbledon on Centre Court, and coach Darren Cahill believes Simona Halep's first match should be used instead.
Barty's presence will be missed at SW19. Last year, she achieved her childhood dream by winning Wimbledon. Her Australian Open triumph earlier this season was her final appearance before retiring in March.
The former No. 1 possessed a unique style that made her a joy to watch. It is sad not to have that brand of tennis in the game anymore, but Barty's happiness with her decision is more important.
Before Barty, Halep was the previous women's Wimbledon champion. She memorably crushed seven-time champion Serena Williams in London with an incredible display of baseline hitting and athleticism.
Unfortunately, Halep could not defend her title last year due to an injury (Wimbledon was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). Barty, the world no. 1, took the Romanian's place by playing the first women's match on Centre Court.
Cahill, in answer to a question by the Tennis Podcast, argued that Halep should play the opening match this year. He said she earned the right by winning Wimbledon in 2021 but never got the chance because of her injury.
This should be Simona Halep. Covid wiped out the 2020 championships & unable to play last year due to injury so Ash Barty was given the honor. With Ash retired, the privilege and honor should go back to Simo. She has earned it as 2019 champ— Cahill on Halep<br>
Cahill's argument makes sense. Some may argue that the privilege should be reverted to Iga Swiatek as world No. 1. However, it would be wonderfully poetic if Halep took Barty's place in the opening match after the opposite happened last year. Halep's run in 2019 was amazing, and it deserves recognition.
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