Clijsters on Halep's retirement: "I hope that in several months' time, she'll be able to look back on the good results she's had in her career".
Simona Halep has decided to retire. The 33-year-old Romanian played her last tournament last week.
Like a symbol, it was at home, at the WTA 250 tournament in Cluj-Napoca, that the former world number 1 came to a halt.
After losing to eventual finalist Lucia Bronzetti (6-1, 6-1), Halep announced that she would not be continuing her career.
In Andy Roddick's podcast, Kim Clijsters spoke about Simona Halep's departure.
"I feel sad for her in a way. The last few years haven't exactly been kind to her. She hasn't been able to make a lasting comeback and stay fit after such a long absence from the circuit. I feel bad for her. She's had a fantastic career.
To watch her evolve after losing her first three Grand Slam finals, and perhaps to see her lose a little confidence in her ability to win those tournaments, to finally manage to triumph at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, was something incredible.
She's a hard-working, humble girl. Right now, she's probably frustrated by what's happened recently, but I hope that in a few months' time, she'll be able to look back on the good results she's had in her career.
She's achieved great things, she's been coached by Darren Cahill and she's always been very well looked after. She needs to refocus on the positive things that have happened to her.
She was one of the fiercest competitors on the WTA circuit. It's sad that she's decided to stop in a different way than she probably would have liked," said the Belgian.
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