Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep has firmly dismissed the prospect of an immediate return to tennis as a coach, emphasizing her enjoyment of a schedule-free life in retirement during an appearance at the WTA Finals Riyadh presented by PIF.
The 33-year-old Romanian, who officially retired in February following a first-round exit at the Transylvania Open in her homeland, was honored alongside other former year-end No. 1s during the tournament’s on-court ceremonies. Speaking to Tennis Channel, Halep was candid when asked about potentially transitioning to coaching.
“Right now, no, I’m not thinking about it,” she said. “Probably in the next years. I don’t have the energy to do this. This means traveling again—I just like to feel at home more time now.”
Halep, who reached the pinnacle of the PIF WTA Rankings and held the year-end No. 1 spot in both 2017 and 2018, retired with an illustrious resume: 24 WTA singles titles, including triumphs at the 2018 French Open and 2019 Wimbledon. She also contested three additional major finals and was runner-up at the 2014 WTA Finals.
Reflecting on the perks of retirement, Halep highlighted the simple luxury of autonomy. “I don’t have a schedule anymore,” she shared. “I can just wake up in the morning and not have anything to do. But of course, I need this rest. I had so many years working every day.”
Her presence in Riyadh—where she participated in the presentation of the Chris Evert WTA World No. 1 Trophy to reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka—served as a nostalgic reminder of her own dominance. Halep spent 64 weeks at No. 1 during her career, a testament to the consistency and resilience that defined her tenure at the top.
While the door remains slightly ajar for a future role in tennis—“probably in the next years,” as she noted—Halep is clearly savoring the present. For now, the former world No. 1 is content to trade the rigor of the tour for the comfort of home, leaving coaching ambitions on hold as she recharges after a decorated 15-year professional career.
