Simona Halep is a Romanian former professional tennis player and a two-time Grand Slam champion, best known for her French Open (2018) and Wimbledon (2019) victories. She was ranked World No. 1 in women’s singles by the WTA for 64 weeks, finishing as the year-end No. 1 in 2017 and 2018. Over her career, she won 24 WTA titles and became one of the most consistent players on the tour.
After returning from a doping ban in 2024, Halep made a brief comeback but struggled with injuries. On February 4, 2025, she officially announced her retirement from professional tennis following a first-round loss at the Transylvania Open.
In this article, we will explore Simona Halep’s career, net worth, achievements, retirement, personal life, and lesser-known facts.
Simona Halep Short Details
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Simona Halep |
| Profession | Former Professional Tennis Player |
| Hometown | Constanța, Romania |
| Nationality | Romanian |
| Date of Birth | September 27, 1991 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 33 years old |
| Height | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) |
| Playing Style | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| Turned Pro | June 26, 2006 |
| Retired | February 4, 2025 |
| Career Titles | 24 WTA Titles |
| Grand Slam Titles | 2 (French Open 2018, Wimbledon 2019) |
| Career Prize Money | $40,232,663 (3rd in all-time rankings) |
| Highest Ranking | World No. 1 (October 9, 2017) |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Net Worth (2025) | Estimated $40–$50 million |
Early Life and Background
Simona Halep was born on September 27, 1991, in Constanța, Romania, to Stere and Tania Halep, who are of Aromanian descent. She has an older brother, Nicolae, who initially played tennis but later pursued other interests.
Her father, a former footballer, became a businessman and supported her tennis career financially. She started playing tennis at the age of four, inspired by her brother. Despite playing football and handball as a child, tennis became her primary focus.
At age 16, she moved to Bucharest to train full-time and was partially sponsored by Corneliu Idu, a prominent Romanian businessman.
Junior and Early Professional Career
Halep had an impressive junior career, reaching World No. 1 in juniors and winning the French Open junior title in 2008.
- Turned professional in 2006 and played on the ITF Circuit.
- Won first ITF titles in 2007 and broke into the WTA Top 200 in 2009.
- Made WTA debut in 2010, reaching her first final at the Morocco Open.
Professional Career Highlights
2013: Breakthrough Year – Six WTA Titles
- Won six WTA titles, the most by any player that year.
- Named WTA Most Improved Player of the Year.
- Rose to World No. 11.
2014: First Grand Slam Final & Top 2 Ranking
- Reached her first Grand Slam final at the French Open, losing to Maria Sharapova.
- Became World No. 2 in August 2014.
- Finalist at the WTA Finals (lost to Serena Williams).
2015: Premier Mandatory Title & US Open Semifinal
- Won Indian Wells (Premier Mandatory).
- Reached US Open semifinals, losing to Flavia Pennetta.
2017: French Open Final & World No. 1
- Runner-up at the French Open, losing to Jelena Ostapenko.
- Became World No. 1 in October 2017.
2018: Grand Slam Champion & Year-End No. 1
- Won her first Grand Slam at the French Open, defeating Sloane Stephens.
- Finalist at the Australian Open (lost to Caroline Wozniacki).
- Finished the year as World No. 1.
2019: Wimbledon Champion
- Won Wimbledon, defeating Serena Williams (6-2, 6-2).
- Became the first Romanian to win Wimbledon.
- Ended the year as World No. 4.
2020–2021: COVID-19 Disruptions & Injuries
- Won three WTA titles in 2020, including Dubai, Prague, and Rome.
- Missed Wimbledon 2021 due to injury, dropping out of the Top 10 for the first time since 2014.
2022: Last WTA Title & Doping Ban
- Won her final career title at the Canadian Open (2022).
- Suspended in October 2022 for testing positive for Roxadustat, a banned substance.
2024: Return to Tennis & Struggles
- Doping ban reduced to 9 months, allowing her to return.
- Made her comeback at the 2024 Miami Open but struggled with form and injuries.
2025: Retirement
- Withdrew from the Australian Open qualifiers due to knee and shoulder pain.
- Lost in the first round of the Transylvania Open.
- Announced her retirement on February 4, 2025.
Net Worth and Income Sources
Simona Halep has amassed a significant fortune through tennis, endorsements, and sponsorships.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth (2025) | $40–$50 million |
| Career Prize Money | $40,232,663 |
| Primary Income Sources | Tennis Prize Money, Endorsements, Investments |
| Major Sponsors | Nike, Wilson, Hublot, Mercedes-Benz, Dedeman, Vodafone |
| Business Ventures | Tennis academies, real estate investments |
Personal Life
- Ethnicity: Aromanian descent.
- Marriages:
- Married Gabriel Iuruc (2021–2022), later divorced.
- Residence: Bucharest, Romania.
- Languages: Fluent in Romanian and English.
- Hobbies: Football, skiing, and spending time with family.
Lesser-Known Facts About Simona Halep
- She underwent breast reduction surgery at 17 to improve her tennis agility.
- First Romanian woman to be ranked World No. 1.
- Held a Top 10 ranking for 373 consecutive weeks (2014–2021).
- Voted WTA’s Most Popular Player multiple times.
- One of the best returners in WTA history.
- Received Romania’s highest state honors.
- Her father was a footballer before becoming a businessman.
- Only Romanian to win a Wimbledon singles title.
- Played in the Fed Cup for over a decade.
- Never won a Grand Slam on hard courts, despite reaching the Australian Open final.
FAQs About Simona Halep
Q: How many Grand Slam titles did Simona Halep win?
A: 2 – French Open (2018) and Wimbledon (2019).
Q: When did Simona Halep retire?
A: February 4, 2025.
Q: What was Simona Halep’s highest ranking?
A: World No. 1 (October 9, 2017).
Q: Why was Simona Halep banned from tennis?
A: She tested positive for Roxadustat (doping) in 2022.
Q: Did Simona Halep return from her suspension?
A: Yes, she returned in 2024, but struggled with injuries.
Q: Who did Simona Halep defeat in the 2019 Wimbledon final?
A: Serena Williams (6-2, 6-2).
Conclusion
Simona Halep leaves behind a legendary tennis career with two Grand Slam titles, 24 WTA titles, and a World No. 1 ranking. Her fighting spirit, dedication, and sportsmanship made her one of the greatest Romanian athletes of all time. Though her career ended amid controversy, she remains a beloved figure in tennis.
“This article is based on publicly available information and is intended for informational purposes only.”
