Simona Halep retires from tennis: Decoding her stats
What's the story
Two-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1 in women's tennis, Simona Halep has announced her retirement at the age of 33.
The Romanian star announced the same after suffering a first-round defeat in a tournament in her home country.
"I don't know if it's with sadness or joy — I think I'm feeling both — but my soul is at peace with this decision," Halep said after her match against Lucia Bronzetti at the Transylvania Open.
Here's more.
Career overview
Halep's career and recent struggles
Halep, who made her WTA main draw debut at 2010 Marbella as a qualifier, reaching quarterfinalsHalep's retirement follows a difficult phase of injuries and a doping suspension.
She had reached the top of women's tennis in 2017, but her current WTA ranking has plummeted to 870th.
Halep had to withdraw from the Australian Open and a preparatory tournament in Auckland, New Zealand, due to constant knee and shoulder pain.
Achievements and controversies
Halep's Grand Slam victories and doping suspension
Halep's illustrious career features major singles victories at 2019 Wimbledon (defeating Serena Williams) and the 2018 French Open (against Sloane Stephens).
However, her last major tournament appearance was at the 2022 US Open, where she tested positive for the banned drug Roxadustat.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reduced her initial four-year ban to nine months after she successfully appealed a contaminated supplement had led to her failed test.
Retirement announcement
Halep's return and final farewell
Halep returned to the tour at the Miami Open after her suspension was lifted but has only played six matches since.
She finishes her career with 24 singles titles and over $40 million in prize money.
"To be competitive again requires much more, and at this moment, it's no longer possible," Halep said during her retirement announcement.
Slam numbers
Breaking down Halep's stats at Grand Slams
Halep owns a 112-44 win-loss record at Grand Slams. She won two Grand Slam honors and appeared in five finals (3 runners-up).
She claimed a 31-12 win-loss record at the Australian Open, being a finalist in 2018.
At Roland Garros, she claimed a 32-11 win-loss record. She won one title and finished as a runner-up twice.
At Wimbledon, Halep clocked a 29-9 tally. She won the 2019 event.
At the US Open, Halep's tally read 20-12 (1-time semi-finalist).s
Numbers
Halep finishes with 24 career singles titles
As per WTA, Halep has finished her women's singles career with a win-loss record 580/ 242. She finished with 24 singles titles on the WTA Tour.
Halep's singles titles: 2022 - Melbourne [250], Toronto; 2020 - Dubai, Prague, Rome; 2019 - Wimbledon; 2018 - Shenzhen, Roland Garros, Montréal; 2017 - Madrid; 2016 - Madrid, Bucharest, Montreal; 2015 - Shenzhen, Dubai, Indian Wells; 2014 - Doha, Bucharest; 2013 - Nürnberg, 's-Hertogenbosch, Budapest, New Haven, Moscow, Sofia.