World No. 4 Simona Halep driven by desire to win medal for home country Romania at Tokyo Olympics
Romanian world No. 4 and Wimbledon champion Simona Halep is excited to be back in coach Darren Cahill’s home state, contesting the Adelaide International. But there’s one other thing on her mind.
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Wimbledon champion Simona Halep might give off a look cool, calm and collected vibe.
But on the inside the Romanian world No. 4 and 2018 French Open title winner is focused and a little nervous as she begins the 2020 WTA season.
Halep, who is coached by South Australian Darren Cahill, is contesting the inaugural Adelaide International this week as she looks to finetune for the 2020 Australian Open.
Her stress, however, is not only because she is hungry for more grand-slam success but also because of a desire to win a medal for her country at the Tokyo Olympic Games in August.
“I am not that relaxed, honestly,” said Halep, who was ranked No. 1 twice between 2017 and 2019.
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“I am a little bit stressed because I worked hard in the off-season … I now have bigger expectations for myself and I feel the stress.
“But Darren told me that it’s not just about this month it’s about the whole year, everything I have done in the off-season.
“My goal for this year is of course (to win) a grand-slam, I started to like it.
“My priority is the Olympics.
“I really want a medal, doesn’t matter which one and doesn't matter where, like singles, doubles, mixed, I just want one and I will do everything I can to do that.”
Halep fronted reporters at Memorial Drive on Monday after losing her doubles match at the Adelaide International.
She and Raluca Olaru went down to Kveta Peschke and Demi Schuurs in a super tie-break.
Halep’s singles campaign starts on Tuesday and she will face Australian Ajla Tomljanovic after she overcame Yulia Putintseva.
Although Tomljanovic received a wildcard entry into the Adelaide tournament, Halep expected a tough clash.
“I am very disappointed (with the doubles) because we were leading the first set, we took the second set and the tie-break was a disaster,” Halep said.
“But it’s a doubles match, I’m not very used to it so I take it as a positive.
“I feel good, I feel healthy, I have no problems.
“I am excited to be here and I am really to start, tomorrow, my singles match.
“It’s not easy, so I am ready for tough battles this year.”
Halep won her first grand slam, the French Open, and twice finished No. 1 in the WTA year-ending rankings under the guidance of Cahill before he decided to take a break from the job to spend time with his family.
But Cahill, who is the son of 10-times Port Adelaide SANFL premiership coach John Cahill and on the club’s board, reunited with Halep in September.
Halep said Adelaide was “kind of like home” and hoped to tour the Power’s Alberton headquarters again before heading to Melbourne for the Australian Open.