There were two things learnt from Simona Halep’s latest match at the BNP Paribas Open. The first was that she was tired, but pain free. The second was that she doesn’t consider herself the best player in the world when the Williams sisters are involved.
Taking on China’s Wang Qiang in the fourth round, Halep overcame a see-saw opening set to prevail 7-5, 6-1. Producing 16 winners alongside 27 unforced errors. In the early stages of the match, the world No.1 lost two break advantages before consolidating her third to seal a 7-5 lead. Then in the second set, she destroyed the Qang serve by breaking four consecutive times to claim the win in exactly 75 minutes.
“It was much better than the previous one, because the ball was coming flatter. I felt better, the rhythm, and also the touch of the ball.” Said Halep, who will next play Petra Martic.
“I think I played also much better in the second set. I got a rhythm, and I just moved her more than the first set.”
Besides the guidance sought from her mentor Darren Cahill, Halep had another source of inspiration. A day prior to her fourth round match, she was spotted in the audience at Indian Wells. Watching Serena Williams take on her sister Venus. It is rare that a No.1 player is seen watching her rivals play live.
Halep wasn’t just there to pass the time. She explained that it was for her to learn further from the two American players, who both debuted at Indian Wells before Halep’s sixth birthday.
“It’s always nice to watch them. I love the way that they are motivated and they are still playing at this age, Serena with the kid. So it’s a great thing what they do for sport, and it’s great that tennis has them.” She said about the sisters.
“It was really fun to come out here and watch the game. And also I have many things to learn from them. That’s why I’m trying just to go to watch every time I can.”
‘Serena should have been the top seed’
So far in her career, Halep has a losing head-to-head against both players. She trails 1-8 to Serena and 1-3 to Venus. Despite being the highest ranked player on the tour, the Romanian is adamant that she is not in the same category as her rivals.
“I’m the world No. 1 in this moment, but I just watched the best player in the world. I’m not thinking about anything. I just do what I feel. I felt to come because I admire a lot the sisters.” She explained.
Halep has also become one of the most high-profile players yet to urge the WTA to rethink their maternity policy. Under current rules, players like Serena loses points and fall down the rankings during their absence. One idea is the introduction of a ‘protected seeding’ that would safeguard their position. A motion endorsed by the 26-year-old, who described new mum Serena as the true No.1.
“I was thinking about Serena in this tournament, and also we were talking a little bit with my coach. And I think she should have been actually No. 1 seed in this tournament because she left as No. 1 in the world.” Halep believes.
“I think she should have been ranked as she left. Not taking the ranking because she didn’t play tournaments, but just protected ranking for — I don’t know how many tournaments you have, like, eight. She could be the No. 1 seed for that, for those tournaments. This is my opinion.”
It is currently unclear if the WTA is in the process of re-evaluating their maternity policy.
