While the Federer loss is still ringing in my ears the Halep win was special for me on so many levels.
For starters she is my, and has been for several years, my current favorite female player. Her win at prestigious Wimbledon ranks as one of the greatest Wimbledon moments for me of all time. The last time I was so happy about a Wimbledon win on the female side was when Maria stunned the tennis world and defeated Serena in 2004.
Halep's biography will be a winner. So many sharp twists and turns but after all her trials redemption comes calling. Would make a good movie too.
It is worth remembering that when she first emerged this feisty upstart was a battler. Somewhere along the way the negativity started to overwhelm her at times despite being number one in 2017 and 2018. In fact I earmarked her as the 2018 female player of the year last season. She won the French and reached the finals in the Australian all the while being number one. She deserved every bit of that tag.
And while her emotions and meltdowns were often discussed it is also worth remembering that when she has reached a grand slam final she has played well.
Out of nowhere she emerged in 2014 and gave Maria a tough three set battle in the French final.
And against Ostapenko in 2017 at the French final as a heavy favorite the pressure became too much and she frankly melted down eventually being overpowered and overwhelmed by a young upstart. It was hers to win with a set up and 3-0 lead in the second but it all unraveled.
But she remained a steady force on tour and last year in the Australian she won some huge battles before succumbing to Wozniacki in a wild tight three set match that could have gone either way. Both players were trying to shake off their "choke" tags and win their first major.
After that tough loss the media started to feel some empathy for Halep who despite her on court antics is actually a nice laid back person off the tennis courts. And for all her battles she had not won a major yet.
Which is why her stirring comeback against Sloane Stephens in the 2018 French Open final was so fulfilling. A great moment in time against a young stronger athletic foe. She showed the nerve necessary in finishing the deal. And what a relief. And she showed that no one was going to outclass her in the movement department.
The rest of her 2018 was more of a hangover despite her superb run in hard court tournaments. But she faltered in the two big remaining majors and some of her momentum was stalled.
She did not get out of the gates great this season losing much too early in the Australian and French. And unlike her usual pattern she wasn't winning any tournaments either. Not a complete collapse but a disappointment nonetheless.
Then came Wimbledon!!! After a sluggish start with the media getting on her when she said she was just "chill" ( I worried about that myself), Halep played superb tennis after getting behind a Chinese foe. Along the way she took down media hero Coco and just pulverized everyone in her path. Her new found aggressive play turning her great defense into offense started to wear down opponents. Her put away shots had more of a punch now. Her supernatural rabbit like quickness all over the court was in full display in what has to be her finest hour as she took down Serena within an hour in what was essentially error free tennis. And her negative antics of yore were nowhere to be seen as she took apart her opponents with laser sharp focus and determination.
Talk about a full stop turn around!
Halep is a bit unique. Before the Williams sisters started to take hold the delicate maestro Martina Hingis ruled the courts and I enjoyed her purest and stylish play. But the big boomers knocked her for a loop, among other things.
Two of my favorite players during the Venus and Serena dynasty were Kim Clijsters and Justin Henin. And they were serious threats to both Venus and Serena but for various reasons they left the game way too early. If they had stayed the course I doubt either Venus or Serena would have bagged as many majors but that is water under the bridge.
Henin was small like Halep but in a different way. Less compact and lankier, Henin was a stylish quick player who was wiry strong. Her one handed back hand was considered one of the best of all time. Henin was a masterful clay court player who won four French Open titles between 2003 and 2007. She also won two US Open titles and bagged seven total majors. She was a delight for tennis purists.
Clijsters was an athletic bull. Strong flexible and fast with powerful ground strokes she ranks as one of the best pure athletes to play tennis. Her dad was a soccer star. But it took Kim a long time to figure things out. She had little sense of strategy but the sheer strength of her game like a female version of Boris Becker did shine through later on in her career. She had left tennis had a baby and came back and won three majors. Her three US Open titles (2005,2009-10) were very memorable and I felt happy for her. It was comforting to see her win the big ones after years of frustration. And like Halep, Kim was much liked.
Halep has very short arms which makes you appreciate what she can get done on a tennis court. While she doesn't possess the power of a Clijsters, she reminds me a touch of a mini version of her due to her powerful speedy moves around the court and her bursting compact body.
And at 27 Halep has finally developed a serve that can cause some trouble and with age her core strength seems to have improved giving her shots the necessary beef to put away opponents like she did here at Wimbledon. She still isn't one of the big hitters but she can sting the ball pretty well.
Seemingly in her prime it seems plausible to think Halep can match Clijsters and win four total majors. Henin with her seven would be tougher to reach only because Halep unlike Henin, doesn't have a defined offensive attack. She is still primarily a defensive whiz.
But while I think she is capable of winning two more majors I wouldn't stake my life on it either. These days women's tennis has been difficult to gauge. But Halep has already had great success on the clay and you don't get a number one ranking two years in a row without being excellent on hard courts.
Wimbledon is another whole kettle of tea. It requires strength and most often athleticism. Unless you are a powerful masher from the moon one must be quick and light on their feet. And quick of mind. Halep demonstrated all of those qualities in spades against Serena putting away a powerful player with ferocious intensity. It was a pleasure to witness along with the post game ceremonies. Simona's child like wonder as they paraded her around the interior building meeting royalty etc. was adorable.
And while she hopes to follow in the footsteps of Clijsters and Henin it is worth remembering this. Neither Henin ( who made the final in 2001 and lost to Serena) or Clijsters, came very close to winning Wimbledon. Simona has a leg up on those two in what is without argument the
crowning gem of all the majors. Winning Wimbledon is too special for words. So happy for Halep.
Go Simona and good luck in the US Open.
