Back to the Tennis Newsfeed

Former Wimbledon champion Halep announces retirement

Two-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one Simona Halep has retired from tennis.

The Romanian announced her decision on court at the Transylvania Open following her 6-1 6-1 first-round loss to Lucia Bronzetti.

The 33-year-old recently said she was considering retirement, external because of a knee injury that forced her to withdraw from Australian Open qualifying last month.

This week's event was just her fifth tournament since returning to the WTA Tour following a doping ban, in a case which went on for almost two years.

Making an emotional statement, external to the crowd, Halep said: "I'm making this decision with my soul.