Defending champion Simona Halep has downplayed her chances of winning Roland Garros this year ahead of her arrival in Paris.
The Romanian is on her way to Paris after having a few days of rest in her home country and heads into the second grand slam of the year having reached the final in Madrid.
Despite losing her first match in Rome as well as injuring her leg, Halep arrives as one of the favourites given her superior clay court record.
But before arriving in Paris, Halep has acknowledged that her title defence will be tough in an interview with the Romanian Journal, “I did not say I am or I am not favourite. I believe I have to go there and do my best,” Halep said at the Henri Coanda Airport.
“If I win matches, it’s good. For me, most important is that I am OK and I am going there. At Roland Garros every day counts, whatever we may say. One has to win tough matches to reach the second week.”
In order to defend her title Halep will need to fight off challenges from the likes of Kiki Bertens, Sloane Stephens, Karolina Pliskova and Angelique Kerber.
However Halep is looking to use the positive memories from last year to get her across the finishing line in 2019, “I am leaving for Roland Garros very glad, another year has passed and I am last year’s champion. I am glad I am going there. Paris is my favourite city and I am looking forward to get there,” she explained.
“These are special moments and will remain special, it was for the first time and it is my favourite tournament. Clay is a surface I like to play on. It’s faster there, one can slip, but every year things are different.”
The world number three will look for a favourable draw, when it is released on Thursday evening as she looks to go back-to-back and make more history for her country.
