Halep talks about retirement: "The knee is not recovering".

Simona Halep is about to make her return to competition. After an almost blank 2024 season (5 matches played for just one win), the Romanian, who is returning to the circuit after a period of suspension for doping, will play the first tournament of her year in Cluj, her home town, next week.

After withdrawing from Auckland and the Australian Open due to persistent knee and shoulder pain, the former world No. 1, now 33, is hoping to get back into the swing of things and finally string together a series of tournaments throughout the year.

Ahead of next Tuesday's Transylvanian Open, Halep spoke about retirement in an interview with local media outlet Golazo.

"Of course I think about retirement, and it often crosses my mind. I'm of a certain age, I've had injuries from which I can't fully recover.

The knee doesn't recover. I've always said that tennis isn't for life. Of course, I still have many desires and goals, even after tennis.

Everything I've done in this sport is extraordinary, I've worked for it and I feel like a very fulfilled tennis player.

I'd like to do something else, not just tennis. My knee still gives me headaches because it's a torn cartilage and it's not easy to manage.

For the moment, it doesn't hurt, but I haven't had many official matches either. That's the main problem," said the two-time Grand Slam winner.