World No.1 Simona Halep doesn’t have a clothing sponsor ahead of Australian Open final

SHE’S the world no.1 and one of the more marketable athletes on the planet. LEO SCHLINK says the fact Australian Open finalist Simona Halep doesn’t have a major sponsor begs some questions.

Simona Halep during her semi-final win over Angelique Kerber. Pic: AFP

SOME time tonight, Simona Halep might win her first major title.

If so, legions of fans around the world will jubilate, no disrespect to Halep’s opponent Caroline Wozniacki.

A Wozniacki triumph would also be uplifting.

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Halep, like Wozniacki, is a Cinderella tennis figure.

She’s been close twice previously, losing French Open finals to Maria Sharapova and Jelena Ostapenko.

Wozniacki has chanced close to grand slam triumph as well, falling at the final US Open hurdle to Kim Clistjers and Serena Williams.

One of Australian Open finalists Simona Halep and Caroline Wozniacki will hit new ground on Saturday night. Pic: AFP

What sets Halep apart right now — besides the tennis which catapulted her into another major decider — is an almost unprecedented sponsorship aberration.

Halep is one of the most marketable athletes in the world.

She is the No 1 female on the planet.

She is also enduringly appealing, judging by WTA Tour awards.

Last year, she was voted fan favourite singles player of the year, In 2014-15, she was acclaimed as the WTA’s popular player.

For the past four years, Halep has been sponsored by Adidas.

Her coach Darren Cahill has also worn the German company’s apparel. Not any more.

Halep has reached a grand slam final without a clothing deal, evidence of the chronically fickle nature of sponsorship for female players.

It is unimaginable to think Rafael Nadal, the men’s world No 1, would walk on court — any court — without a deal.

Same with Roger Federer, Williams and Sharapova.

Whatever the politics — and differences over the bottom line — it is a strange look for the world’s highest-ranked woman to be without a clothing deal on the global stage.

Simona Halep hasn’t sported any sponsor labels in Melbourne. Pic: Getty Images

Over the past fortnight, Halep has worn an Australian Open visor, the same visor available to punters in Melbourne Park shops.

Given the Romanian’s impressive career prizemoney haul, chances are not too many will shed a tear for her.

But the issue runs deeper.

If Halep, for whatever reason, can’t strike an acceptable deal, her situation begs questions over how the sport’s foot soldiers are treated.

The prelude to the Australian Open is usually flooded with advertising blitzes dressed up as pseudo press conferences.

The ploy works spectacularly because of player access and visibility.

Halep continues to stand on principle. If she wins tonight, there will be no shortage of suitors.

And there’ll be no quibbling over budgets, just as there won’t be for Federer or Marin Cilic tomorrow.