French Open favorite Simona Halep stated Friday she was grateful to simply have the prospect to play at Roland Garros this yr after the tennis calendar was turned the wrong way up by the coronavirus pandemic. Delayed 4 months from its conventional spring billing, gamers should take care of vastly completely different situations and much cooler temperatures than they’re used to within the French capital. “To play Roland Garros in September, finish of September, it is just a little bit bizarre,” stated Halep, the 2018 champion.
“Nevertheless it’s good that we’ve got the prospect to play at this match. We should always truly thank everybody for preventing so onerous to make it attainable.”
The Romanian was amongst six prime 10 gamers to skip the recent US Open over Covid-19 fears, however the prolonged lay-off has not impacted her kind.
Halep comes into the competitors proudly owning a 20-2 document this season. She has gained her final three occasions, in Dubai earlier than the virus shutdown, after which titles on clay in Prague and Rome.
The highest seed begins her marketing campaign in opposition to Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo and may return to the primary rating with a second French Open title.
With defending champion Ashleigh Barty opting to not play and US Open winner Naomi Osaka sidelined by harm, Halep is the one prime three consultant within the area right here.
“I am honoured to listen to that I’m the favorite, individuals considering that I am the favorite. However I do not look in that route,” stated Halep.
“It is not further strain. I am used to this sort of strain as a result of I have been No. 1 seeded previously. I have been on this place,” she added.
“I take it as a traditional match. So no further strain for me, it is only a constructive strain that I’ve.”
Circumstances are anticipated to be heavier with rain forecast for a lot of the primary week. Happily, the showpiece Philippe Chatrier Courtroom will debut its new retractable roof.
Halep, unbeaten in 14 matches, is assured she’s going to modify to no matter challenges come up.
“When it is chilly, it is just a little bit heavier and just a little bit completely different. It is a huge distinction between Rome and right here, that is for positive. 15 levels much less,” she stated.
“I really feel the chilly. I really feel like struggling just a little bit. However for everyone is identical.
“Each time I play on these courts I like as a result of they’re just a little bit tougher and the ball bounces just a little bit extra. The situations are good for me, in my view.”
Halep, who can also be the Wimbledon champion, has reached the ultimate in Paris on three events — in 2014, 2017 and 2018.
Maria Sharapova acquired the higher of her in 2014 with a shock loss to unseeded Latvian Jelena Ostapenko three years in the past.
Halep, nonetheless, finally made her main breakthrough 12 months later when she beat Sloane Stephens for the title in Paris.
Promoted
“Each match I play, it is a dream to win it. French Open could be very particular as a result of it was the primary Grand Slam. It can keep ceaselessly like this,” stated Halep.
“Each time I come right here I’ve the need to play nearly as good as attainable and to go until the top. However as we all know, each match is a battle, each match could be very powerful. I am not fascinated with the title proper now.”
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