Simona Halep continues to amass quality results in his “second youth” within the circuit WTA. She precisely she faced one of the greatest promises (and, in turn, realities) of women’s tennis, a Coco Gauff that released its claws, but against which it emerged unscathed in a great game in the quarterfinals of the WTA Toronto 2022. Simona is looking for that great title that gives her an extra confidence: she has not fallen short in big victories in this 2022, but playing metal would reaffirm the work she is doing together with Patrick Mouratoglou, her new guide and towards whom she does not hesitate to get rid of in compliments. In Press conferencethe Romanian spoke in depth about the changes in her game and detailed her feelings after battling against the American.
Another great victory against Coco Gauff
“Today was a little more difficult. She served at a great level, I feel that every match against her is always very hard. I am very happy with how I stayed strong mentally throughout the match, as well as fighting for every point. It was very important, as she was doing the exact same thing. It’s never easy to go up against Coco.”
You won in Canada four years ago: what has changed?
“Many years have passed. Four years, of course. I have changed a lot. Also as a person. As a player, I would not know how to tell you exactly what I have done, but I feel that I have improved in various aspects. After the pandemic I think it was costing me a bit with everything, but now I am a better person and a better player. That helps me and gives me confidence to keep working hard and think about every tournament, to fight for every match I play. I think this is the best I can do after so many years in the circuit”.
Mouratoglou and the search for the next level as a player
“First of all, before I met Patrick I was down. I lacked motivation. I couldn’t work consistently, I was pretty much done with tennis. He has given me back that inner fire and motivation. I am confident that I can still play tennis. a great level of tennis, and that is something that he has instilled in me. We are forming a great team, from my point of view. I trust him and what we are doing, and it is something that is shown by my results, I am back in a semi-final. I’m improving, working hard and I hope I can do even better in the future.”
A new Simona Halep, but with the same old values
“I always say I’m a hard worker. That’s the reason why I can play great matches. Mentally I’m strong, although I hesitated a bit today in the second set, also yesterday, but I had the ability to stay in the match and finish it. I feel like my game is in tune, mentally and physically I’m fine, everything is positive. Now I like myself more in all aspects. I feel better and more confident. I do things with a more positive approach. On the plane Overall, I’m much more comfortable with myself.
