Simona Halep is hungry for success on grass this year. You can see it in her performances, and you can hear it when she talks about it.
When the Romanian was asked how much it mean to her to do well Wimbledon this year, she immediately answered, “A lot.”
That response was about far more than the words themselves. Halep said it with real conviction, and it is clear that she knows exactly what she wants to achieve during the grass court season.
“I don’t feel bad on this court, but you never know what to expect,” the Romanian said. “It is a little bit tough for me, because my game is pretty clear, and on clay court I can slide. On grass it is not easy to run.”
“But I tried to hit a little bit flatter today and to play slices. I also went to the net a little bit. I’m trying to change some things and improve my game on grass, because it’s different and I need an update.”
Halep: I feel happy on court
Halep’s perspective has changed a lot since she lifted her first Grand Slam trophy at the French Open in 2018. “(My approach to Wimbledon is) different because I am different,” she said. “I see tennis differently now and I see the tournament differently.”
“My goal is to do well and try to play my best tennis every time I step onto court. I’m not thinking about the result anymore, but I’m still motivated. This is the change.”
She continued, “I feel more mature. I feel a little bit older, because I feel my body sometimes. But it’s a good thing. I’m in a good position, in my opinion, even though I haven’t won a tournament this year. I feel happy on court, and I’m sure it’s going to come if I keep working.”
Halep to face Kerber for the 13th time
Halep could win the Nature Valley International. However, it may require an almighty effort to beat familiar foe Angelique Kerber in the quarter-final. The Romanian leads the head to head 7-5 but the German won their only meeting on grass at Wimbledon in 2016.
“She won Wimbledon last year, so I know she likes to play on grass,” Halep said. “She definitely has confidence on this surface.”
“But I have nothing to lose. Tomorrow I just want to go out there and try to win, and to get more and more used to this court. Hopefully I can win, but the result doesn’t matter. I just want to play good tennis.”
Halep passes Hercog test
Halep will take a lot of confidence from how well she played to beat Hercog 6-1 4-6 6-3 in a pulsating match on Centre Court.
“It was not easy at all,” she said. “I knew that she going to hit the ball very hand, and her forehand today was pretty, pretty strong. Her serve was also really tough to return.”
“But I knew that I have to stay strong on my legs and not be defensive. I tried to stay close to the baseline as much as possible close to the baseline and be aggressive. I also opened the court better (after the second set) and I didn’t give her angles.”
The Romanian seemed pleased to be tested. “It’s important because when I have a tough moment during a match at Wimbledon, I will be better,” she said. “I will be ready to change something and to realize (what to do) by myself because there is no on-court coaching.”
“Today was a good day because it was up and down a little bit. I was in a bit of trouble in the second set (and I turned it around).”
