Absence is said to make the heart grow fonder, but in Simona Halep’s case it has enabled her to become a key contender for this year’s French Open title.
The Romanian has surged to the quarter-final without dropping a set at Roland Garros. In the fourth round she crushed Carla Suarez Navarro 6-1, 6-1, on Monday. Halep’s recent rise in form on the tour has been aided by a new mentality that she developed after receiving an ultimatum from her coach Darren Cahill.
Shortly after the final of the Miami Open in March, which Halep lost, Cahill threatened to end his partnership with the Romanian. The reason was because he wasn’t happy about her attitude with him. During the Miami tournament, the two were seen interacting in a frosty atmosphere on the court. One of the most memorable moments was in the final after Halep dropped the opening set.
“Now I’m happy that I can be positive on court, and I will never be negative like I was in Miami, because I didn’t like when I saw the video, I felt ashamed about what I did. So hopefully is not going to happen again.” Halep admitted.
Cahill’s threat triggered a turnaround for the world No.4. Eager to continue working with her coach, Halep swiftly changed her mentality. The outcome resulted in a resurgence with the Romanian successfully defending her Madrid Open title followed by reaching the final in Rome.
“I think it meant a lot that he took that decision. (it) Helped me.” Said Halep.
“I just felt that it was like a shock, because I lost my coach. So I have just to improve in this way, because he never had something to complain about my game and about the work that I do, because I’m working.”
“Just with my attitude. I knew that is the only one thing that I have to change to have him back. So I Work hard, and I changed. I changed pretty fast.”
Next up for Halep in Paris will be Elina Svitolina in what will be a repeat of this year’s Rome Final, which Halep lost. During that match she injured her ankle and there were doubts about her playing in the grand slam tournament. She continues to feel pain, but remains confident about the current state of her fitness.
“About my ankle, I still feel at some balls pain, but doesn’t bother me. So I can run. I’m not thinking about it during the points, so I feel that I’m fit. I’m ready to go into this second week.” She revealed.
As well as a favourite, Halep is also the only player left in that that has previously played in a French Open final.
