Kuznetsova regrets Halep's retirement: "It's sad that she was never able to come back".

Svetlana Kuznetsova speaks out on Halep's retirement.

The two players know each other well, having met eight times, with the Romanian leading the way by five wins to three.

Kuznetsova declared: "It's very sad to read that Simona was never able to return and has decided to end her sporting career.

Of course, the doping affair has unfortunately damaged not only Maria Sharapova's career, but Simona Halep's too.

That's the way it is in sport: great careers don't end on a high note.

But nonetheless, Simona will forever be a legendary athlete, and my congratulations to her."