When Simona Halep lost in the French Open quarterfinals to Amanda Anisimova this spring, the Romanian was asked how she would get back in gear in time for the grass season.
“It’s already, I don’t know, maybe seventh year when I do these things coming from clay to grass court,” she explained. “I got used to it. For everybody, (it) is the same. I will not do something special. I will just keep my routine, and I will try to get ready as much as possible for Wimbledon. Hopefully I can make a good result.
“But no, (there is) no pressure. This year is a ‘chill’ year for me.”
Halep may be “chilling,” but there has been no letup on the tennis court. Having never previously been to the Wimbledon final and only once played in the semis, the world No. 7 punched her ticket to the title match by beating Elina Svitolina 6-1, 6-3 on Friday afternoon. Halep struck 10 more winners than unforced errors (26 to 16) and broke serve five times in eight return games.
The 27-year-old has been crushing people for the most part, surrendering only one set to compatriot Mihaela Buzarnescu in the second round.
Such success should not come as a real surprise, as Halep has been quick to point out that she is still the same Halep–the one who had already reached four major finals throughout her career (including a title at the 2018 French Open).
“When I said this is ‘a chill year,’ I didn’t mean that,” she said following her win over Buzarnescu. “My English is not that great when I want to translate something from Romanian. I’m still working hard. I’m motivated. I want to win every match I play. But I want to be chill as a person more than last year. I don’t want to stress myself that much about the result. Also the nerves should be less because I (have done) everything I wanted. So now everything, it comes as a bonus.
“My work ethic is like very focused on what I have to do. Every day I respect the schedule. I don’t take days off anymore. I’m just trying to get better as much as possible. So I am positive and I am ready to fight for every match I play.”
Halep was asked about her “chill” comments again following Thursday’s rout of Svitolina.
“I explained this few days ago,” she noted. “‘Chilling,’ it doesn’t mean that I’m not working hard or I’m not focused on what I have to do. It’s just that as a person I want to chill. We see that I’m better on court.”
The seventh seed may have to be even better on championship Saturday, as none other than Serena Williams will be on the other side of the net. Their head-to-head series stands at 9-1 in favor of Williams. Especially given that she is the underdog, Halep won’t be stressing about the result. But you can be sure that she is still as motivated as ever.
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who ya got?
Simona in 3 brave sets,
But don’t bet on it.