Former world No.1 Simona Halep has played down her title chances in the upcoming French Open by saying ‘anyone can win’ the title next month.
The 27-year-old is the reigning champion at the tournament after claiming her maiden grand slam title there is 2018. Halep has featured in the final of the tournament three times since 2014. The world No.2 is one of the favourites to claim the trophy at Roland Garros, however, she hasn’t won a title on the WTA Tour since August at the Rogers Cup.
“I don’t know what is going to happen at the French Open.” Halep told reporters on Thursday. “I always said in the last few months that tennis is very open now. The top (of the women’s game) is open. Anyone can win. Kiki Bertens has a chance, in my opinion. Stephens again. Many players are playing well on clay.’
“We will see. I’m very curious.” She added.
So far this season, only two women have managed to win multiple titles on the WTA Tour. Petra Kvitova in Sydney and Stuttgart, as well as Kiki Bertens in St Petersburg and Madrid. Overall, there has been 21 different winners so far in 2019. Six of which are currently ranked in the world’s top 10.
Halep’s preparation for the upcoming major has hit a setback this week. At the Italian Open, she crashed out of her opening match to Czech player Markéta Vondroušová. Suffering her earliest exit from the tournament since 2016. During that match, she sought medical treatment on her leg after feeling pain during the second set.
“I started to feel a little bit (of pain) from sliding.” Said Halep.
“I had two days off, so it was a little bit tough to get back to this rhythm, very high rhythm.
But it is nothing, like, tight or something broken. Is just a little bit of injury, which in a few days is going to be okay, I’m sure.” She added.
Whilst the 27-year-old is staying grounded about her chances of success at the French Open, she has been labelled as the favourite for the title by some former champions. Earlier this month Justine Henin backed the Romanian by saying she is ‘the most complete player.’ Meanwhile, another high profile backer is three-time champion Arantxa Sanchez Vicario.
“It is wide open at this moment to see who is going to win. If I want to pick one player, who is more able and resourceful, I must say it is Simona Halep. She stands a good chance, but depends on how she would control the pressure. However, I do not count out other women contenders,” Vicario told the Press Trust of India.
The French Open will get underway on May 26th.
