‘Queen of the Lawn Tennis’, this is
how Nadia Comaneci, multiple world, European and Olympic champion, has described
her compatriot Simona Halep after the latter’s triumph at Wimbledon.
We recall that Simona Halep, a
former WTA number one, romped home on Saturday at Wimbledon, obtaining the
first such performance in the history of Romanian tennis. Simona clinched a two
set win against the US super-champion Serena Williams. Three-time Wimbledon
singles champion John McEnroe told the BBC after the finals that lasted less
than an hour: ‘I am shocked’.
Another legend of the American
tennis, Billie Jean King, congratulated Simona Halep describing the game as ‘one
of the most perfectly executed matches I have ever seen’. Former Romanian
champion Ilie Nastase, who lost two Wimbledon finals, to US player Stan Smith
in 1972 and to Bjorn Borg of Sweden in 1976 said that he felt vindicated by
Simona’s Wimbledon victory.
CNN headlined on its webpage: ‘History was
made after Simona Halep became the first Romanian to win Wimbledon when she
defeated Serena Williams 6-2 6-2’. And the BBC wrote: ‘The Romanian won 6-2 6-2 in
front of an incredulous Centre Court, running after everything the American
threw at her’.
The tournament organizers have congratulated Simona on
Twitter for her magic show against Williams, while France Press remarked
Simona’s aggressive play. According to Reuters, ‘Halep began the week halting American 15-year-old Coco Gauff’s dream run
and will end it at the Champions Ball after dismantling seven-times winner
Williams 6-2 6-2 with an inspired display on Centre Court’. The new Wimbledon winner
explains how she built her remarkable career.
Simona Halep: I am happy with the way I played and the way I reacted to such an
important event and such a great day. I fought, worked hard and suffered all
these years and everything I did was to be as best on court as I possibly could.
I reached a high level and feel I have a lot of confidence. I never thought I would
be number one and win a Grand Slam but I had this dream and for it I worked day
in and day out. As I have said many times, Romanians are gifted but don’t trust
themselves very much. We must begin to be better, believe in ourselves and look
at things in a positive manner.
The 27 year old Romanian has thus secured her second
Grand Slam after the one in Paris last year. Halep also played in two Grand
Slam finals in Paris and another one in Australia. She hasn’t so far made it to
the finals of the US Open, but her great shape also recommends her as one of
the favourites. The way she played on clay court, which the Romanian players
aren’t familiar with, shows that Simona has reached the level of great tennis
champions.
(translated by bill)