Simona Halep, the former world No. 1 tennis star, has opened up about her plans for motherhood and her emotions surrounding her transition into life after professional tennis. The 33-year-old Romanian announced her retirement on Tuesday following a 1-6, 1-6 defeat to Lucia Bronzetti in the first round of the Cluj-Napoca tournament, marking only her fifth event since returning to the sport in March 2024.
Halep’s decision to step away from tennis was influenced by a serious knee injury sustained earlier in her comeback, which required surgical intervention. After a challenging period that included clearing her name in a doping case, she decided it was time to close her professional tennis chapter. Speaking to Romanian outlet Treizecizero, Halep expressed her desire to embrace new life goals, with motherhood at the forefront.
“My dream is to become a mother, to be a good mother like my own, and to build a wonderful family when the time feels right,” Halep shared. She also expressed a longing to experience a “normal” life after three decades as a high-performance athlete. “For 30 years, I lived as an elite athlete, not as an ordinary person. Now, I’m ready to explore what else life has in store.”
Acknowledging the uncertainty of this new phase, Halep admitted to feeling nervous about what lies ahead. “Of course, I’m anxious—how could I not be? I’m an emotional person; I even get nervous going to a party,” she said. “I’ve spoken with other players, and it seems this fear of the unknown is something we all face after retiring.”
As Halep embarks on this next chapter, her focus is on personal growth and family, leaving behind an illustrious career that inspired fans worldwide.
