Halep’s ultimate test
If Simona Halep wanted a tough test, her wish has come true in Melbourne. The world No.1 faces a potentially brutal route to the title. In her opening match she faces danger right away against Kaia Kanepi. A player who she lost to at the US Open in September. Then, if the draw goes according to the seedings, she will play both of the Williams sisters later in the first week.
“I am motivated,” Halep said. “But is a little bit different because last year I had about 10, 15 matches before Melbourne, now I have only one, which I lost it.
“I took the risk staying home a little bit longer. I rested because I felt like I’m exhausted after those tournaments and also the year that I had. I enjoyed the time home a lot. Now I feel refreshed to start the year, but still I am a little bit [behind] with everything, preparation and matches.
“But I don’t complain. Everything was how I wanted. So now I have just to put my head down and to go and work.”
Halep has a tough task of maintaining her world No.1 spot with a group of players in contention of top spot. A list that does down as far as current world No.11 Aryna Sabalenka. Nevertheless, the Romanian is choosing to take it all in her strides. She was informed about her draw by former coach Darren Cahill, who she split with during the off-season. Although at the time, she was concentrating on something else.
“Darren actually sent me [a message] because he did the draw [ceremony],” Halep joked with reporters. “I was at Nike taking my new shoes. When I saw the message, I was like, Okay, whatever. I just enjoy the moment with the shoes, then I’ll think about the match.”
Halep was runner-up in the tournament last year.
