Simona Halep, the two-time Grand Slam champion, has officially announced her retirement from professional tennis at the age of 33. The decision comes after a challenging first-round defeat at the Transylvania Open in her home country of Romania, where she lost 6-1, 6-1 to Lucia Bronzetti. This marks the end of Halep's arduous comeback following a doping suspension that kept her off the tour for a significant period.
Simona Halep retirement
Halep, speaking to the crowd in Cluj, Romania, reflected on her decision to retire, expressing mixed emotions.
I don’t know if it’s with sadness or joy — I think I’m feeling both — but my soul is at peace with this decision, she shared. My body can no longer handle as much as it used to, to get me where I probably once was.
Halep explained that the physical demands of tennis had become too much, and despite knowing the effort required to return to her former level, she felt ready to say goodbye.
The 33-year-old acknowledged the difficulty of returning to peak form and highlighted the importance of being realistic with herself about her body’s limitations.
It’s very hard to reach that level, and I know what it takes to get there, she admitted. That’s why I wanted to be here today, in Cluj, to play in front of you and say goodbye on the tennis court, even if my performance wasn’t great.
Simona Halep: a stellar career cut short
Halep's retirement marks the end of a remarkable career. She reached the pinnacle of women's tennis in 2017 when she became world No. 1. Over the years, she claimed two Grand Slam singles titles, winning Wimbledon in 2019 and the French Open in 2018. She also finished as a runner-up three times at major events, including the Australian Open in 2018 and the French Open in 2014 and 2017.
However, her career was interrupted in 2022 when she faced a doping suspension following a failed test at the U.S. Open. Halep tested positive for Roxadustat, a banned substance, and was initially handed a four-year ban. After appealing, the Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced her suspension to nine months, acknowledging that while Halep was negligent, the violation was not intentional.
Halep’s return to tennis was plagued by persistent injury concerns. She withdrew from qualifying rounds for the Australian Open and a warm-up tournament in Auckland earlier in 2025 due to ongoing knee and shoulder issues. Her latest loss at the Transylvania Open marked her first match of the year, bringing an end to her competitive journey.
Despite these setbacks, Halep leaves the sport with an impressive legacy. She retires with 24 singles titles and over $40 million in career earnings. Reflecting on her career, she concluded,
To be competitive again requires much more, and at this moment, it’s no longer possible. I don’t want to cry — this is something beautiful. I reached world No. 1, I won Grand Slams; it’s everything I ever wanted.