It has been a career-defining year for Simona Halep. The 27-year-old has enjoyed her top-ranked perch since winning her first Grand Slam at the French Open in June, but all that is under threat. Battling a bad back and a four-game losing streak, Halep of Romania is racing to heal in time for the WTA Finals in Singapore, Oct. 21-28, to defend her No. 1 ranking. This conversation has been edited and condensed.
This has been a big year for you.
It’s been the best year in my career, winning a Grand Slam. Being No.