Simona Halep and Serena Williams are in the first tournaments after the five-month interruption of the WTA circuit caused by the new coronavirus
The Romanian, 2 WTA, and the American, 9 WTA, are the first players among the top ten who will enter the field next week after the five-month break caused by the new coronavirus. Simona Halep will be present at the tournament in Prague, one that takes place on slag, and Serena Williams will take part in the competition in Lexington, which is played on hard, both are in the International category, the last in the WTA classification.
“I am a little stressed, but I think it will be fine. I haven’t played without spectators yet. I’ll see you next week, I hope it’s not so weird “– Simona Halep
The women’s circuit resumed this week in Palermo, Italy, but no girl in the Top 10 was present, Simona retiring a few days before the start of the competition in Italy. “It was a momentary decision, I thought it was better that way. Maybe I wasn’t mentally prepared. Now I am better and I am 100% convinced that I have to play “, said Simona.
“I need official matches”
Halep played the last matches in February, in Dubai, a tournament he won. Prior to this competition, she had played in Adelaide, where she reached the “quarterfinals” and the Australian Open, where she reached the semifinals. Simona Halep will be the main favorite in Prague in singles, she will play doubles with Barbora Strycova.
The singles draw will take place on Saturday, along with Simona are also present on the main grid Irina Begu, Patricia Țig and Ana Bogdan, and in the qualifications, which begin today, are Gabriela Ruse, Jaqueline Cristian,
Irina Bara and Laura Ioana Paar.
“I want to see the good side, the fact that we can play a tournament. I will also play doubles, because I need official matches and any duel is welcome “-Simona Halep
The next tournament for Halep should be the US Open, but although it appears on the list of participants, it has not yet made a decision on the trip to the US.
Workouts every day
Serena Williams played the last matches in the Fed Cup, in February, against Latvia, when she defeated Jelena Ostapenko and lost to Anastasija Sevastova. “It’s as good as it can be after a break. When there is a date for tournaments, then the players have the motivation because they are used to having short-term goals. They also have some long-term ones, but they are difficult to establish without the immediate ones, it is difficult to give one hundred percent to trainings without the latter “, said Patrick Mouratoglou, the coach of the 38-year-old American, for Express Sport.
He will be with her in Kentucky. “Serena trained every day, especially after she had a date to resume competitions. It is important to have official matches before the US Open. The girls who have gathered a few such matches will have a great advantage “, the Frenchman added. The former world leader won the Auckland tournament this year and reached the third round of the Australian Open.
According to her schedule, after Lexington she will play in New York the two tournaments, one in the Premier 5 category, August 21-28, and the second Grand Slam, August 31-September 13.
