Here's why tennis star Simona Halep is contemplating retirement
What's the story
Simona Halep, one of the biggest names in tennis, has recently hinted at retiring from the sport.
The Romanian star's career has been plagued with injuries and setbacks over the past few years.
Even though she made a glorious return at the Canadian Open in Toronto, her journey hasn't been smooth.
Notably, Halep won the last of her two Grand Slam titles in 2019.
Career challenges
Halep's career takes a turn after doping allegations
Halep's triumph at the WTA 1000 tournament (Canadian Open) was marred by a doping scandal.
She had tested positive for a banned substance at the 2022 US Open, resulting in her suspension by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).
However, upon appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), her suspension was shortened from four years to nine months.
Comeback journey
Return to tennis post-suspension
After her suspension, Halep returned at the Miami Open after being given a wild card. She fought hard against Paula Badosa but lost in the end.
Her return was marred further when she had to withdraw from another tournament despite winning against McCartney Kessler due to injury concerns.
Injury woes
Halep's ongoing struggle with knee injury
Halep's knee injury has been a major roadblock in her career. She was compelled to pull out the 2025 Australian Open at the beginning of this season due to the same.
In a recent interview with Romanian publication Golazo, she disclosed that her knee still creates problems even though she isn't feeling any pain at the moment.
Retirement thoughts
Halep contemplates life beyond tennis
At 33, Halep is contemplating retirement as she continues to battle injuries.
She said she would like to see what life is like outside of tennis, adding that she often thinks about retirement.
"Of course, I think about retirement, and it crosses my mind very often," she said during the interview with Golazo.
Halep is a two-time major winner (singles), having won the French Open and Wimbledon.