Simona Halep of Romania has confirmed her participation in the 2021 Moscow Kremlin Cup for the first time since the 2013 season.
The former world number 1 won the Kremlin Cup that season after beating Australian Sam Stosur.
This season, the Romanian will be making his third appearance in the Kremlin Cup which he played for the first time in 2012.
The 2018 French Open champion was last seen competing at Indian Wells and suffered a bitter defeat in the last 32 to Aliaksandra Sasnovich. Interestingly, Sasnovich also beat another tennis player of Romanian blood, Emma Raducanu.
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On several occasions, Raducanu has expressed his admiration for the former world number 1 and considers him one of his idols, so it is not surprising when the former world number 1 is asked about the British player’s victory at the US Open this season.
“Yes, I wish him the best. He has to stay focused, because, in the coming seasons in tennis, I’m sure he will win more tournaments. However, it will be a little difficult when he feels the pressure,” said Halep.
“I won my first Grand Slam title a little late. I’ve won a number of tournaments before but you can’t compare that to a Grand Slam success.”
“I can’t really talk about it, but from experience, I feel you have to focus more after having a big success like that, because you’re still so young and you don’t really have the experience of winning titles, because I think the 2021 US Open title. is Emma’s first title and it’s a Grand Slam title.”
Meanwhile, some time ago the Romanian national announced his separation from Darren Cahill who had coached him in the last six seasons. He won the first Grand Slam title of his career under Cahill. Although no longer working together, he revealed how close he is to the Australian coach.
“With Darren, yes, it’s not easy, because we’ve been together for six seasons, an incredible season, and he will always be my friend forever. He’s a great individual. We still keep in touch. It’s nice to end a relationship in tennis in this way,” Simona Halep said.
“I would never see Darren as an enemy, even if he were to coach other players, for me it will be the same. He is my friend and always will be. But I would love to see him train again. I’m sure he can help other players to realize their dreams.”
