Simona Halep Opens Up on Life After Retirement: No Immediate Plans to Coach, But Future Remains Open
Simona Halep, the two-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1, has firmly closed the chapter on her playing career but is leaving the door slightly ajar for a potential return to tennis in a different role. In recent interviews, the Romanian star addressed speculation about transitioning into coaching, revealing that while she is not ready for it now, she hasn’t ruled it out entirely for the future.
Halep announced her retirement in February 2025 during her home tournament, the Transylvania Open in Cluj-Napoca, following a first-round defeat to Lucia Bronzetti. Persistent knee issues, which required surgery she was unwilling to undergo at that stage, forced her hand after a brief comeback in 2024. Her return to the tour that year had been triumphant in its own way—cleared of a doping suspension reduced to nine months—but injuries ultimately proved insurmountable.
Appearing as an ambassador at the 2025 WTA Finals in Riyadh, Halep was directly asked by Tennis Channel interviewers about the possibility of coaching on the professional circuit. Her response was candid: “Right now, no, I’m not thinking about it. Probably in the next years. I don’t have energy to do this. This means to travel again, I just like to feel at home more time now.”
The 34-year-old elaborated on her current mindset, emphasizing the need for rest after a demanding career spanning over two decades. “I don’t have a schedule anymore. I can just wake up in the morning and not have anything to do,” she shared. While she misses the adrenaline of competition—”the pressure during matches, winning, the fighting spirit”—the freedom from rigorous routines and constant travel has been a welcome change.
In a separate reflection, Halep explained deeper reservations about coaching. As a player, she was notoriously self-critical, a trait that fueled her success but also added immense pressure. She worries that this intensity could transfer negatively to any player she might guide. “I was too self-critical as a player, and I would project those same feelings,” she noted, indicating that for now, stepping into a high-stakes mentoring role doesn’t appeal.
Despite stepping away from the spotlight, Halep remains connected to the sport she loves. She closely follows developments on the WTA Tour, praising the dominance of players like Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek while expressing admiration for the growing balance in women’s tennis. She has no bitterness toward the game that defined her life, insisting, “Tennis did only good things for me.”
Halep’s illustrious career includes 24 WTA titles, two major triumphs—at the 2018 French Open and 2019 Wimbledon—and two stints as year-end No. 1. Her resilience through challenges, including the controversial doping saga, has cemented her legacy as one of Romania’s greatest athletes.
For now, Halep is embracing a quieter life, “learning to be still” and prioritizing recovery—both physical and mental. While fans may hope to see her back on the sidelines one day imparting wisdom to the next generation, the former champion is in no rush. As she puts it, life after tennis is about relaxation and enjoying the present, with any future involvement in the sport left to time.
