Simona Halep, former world number one, said goodbye in the second round of the French Open in Paris. A traumatic experience, if you will.
The Romanian, who triumphed at Roland Garros in 2018 and Wimbledon in 2019, announced via Instagram that she was on her way to losing 6-2, 2-6, 1-6 to Qinweng Zheng (Chn/WRL No. 74 ) suffered a panic attack.
The incident happened in the second set, in a phase in which Halep seemed to be countering an apparently clear victory in view of the won first set and a 2-1 lead in the second round with a break.
But suddenly the thread broke at number 19 in the WTA ranking, which also hit the Upper Austria Ladies in Linz in November 2021. Back then, a knee injury stopped her before the semifinals, this time it was supposed to be a mental impairment.
Halep had to take a break from treatment on the Simonne-Mathieu court, the pretty venue in the middle of the botanical garden. The reason for this only came to light later. “I have to share these lines with those who are concerned,” Halep wrote on Instagram.
“The past 18 months have been very tough for me – emotionally and physically. After my job in Doha (February 2021, note) I couldn’t play anymore, tennis was done for me. But somehow the fire came back, I found my love for the sport again and decided to make serious changes and work hard,” explained the 30-year-old. “I’m very proud of that.”
Now expectations are high again, as a Grand Slam winner and former number one, she is under pressure. “They expect me to win. But nothing should be taken for granted. I need time to climb the highest peak in tennis,” added Halep.
“My personality doesn’t allow me to give up. Now I know what it’s like to have a panic attack. It’s not easy to deal with. But I’m over it and now I can smile again.”
Coco Gauff, the Linz triumphant of 2019, is also in a good mood. The American made it into the round of 16 with a 6: 3, 6: 4 win over Estonian Kaia Kanepi.
A 19-year-old who had taken the hearts of French tennis fans by storm would have liked to make it there. We’re talking about the world number 97. Diane Parry, for whom Sloane Stephens (USA/No. 64) was a size too big. The local hero had to admit defeat 2:6, 3:6.
In the men’s category, two top stars were practically in step, showing no nakedness. 13-time Paris champion Rafael Nadal stormed into the round of 16 with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 win over Botic van de Zandschulp (Ned) on Court Suzanne Lenglen I played my best tennis in this tournament,” said Nadal, who will soon be 36. The Mallorquin will face Felix Auger-Aliassime (Can) on Sunday.
Around 200 meters away, defending champion Novak Djokovic left nothing to burn on the Philippe Chatrier court. The Serbian world number one finished off Aljaz Bedene (Slo) 6: 3, 6: 3, 6: 2, “I’m very satisfied, but you can never rest,” said Djokovic, looking at the round of 16 duel with Diego Schwartzman (Arg ). “A dangerous opponent. We all know what he’s capable of on clay.”
Should Djokovic and Nadal win again, the two co-favorites would meet in the quarterfinals. That’s how the lot wants it.
Alexander Zverev (D), who had to fend off a match ball in round two, did not show any weakness either. The Olympic champion kept the upper hand against the American Brandon Nakashima with 7: 6 (2), 6: 3, 7: 6 (5).
