Simona Halep announces retirement from tennis after injury and doping ban

Simona Halep, a two-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one, has announced her retirement from tennis. She made the announcement after losing 6-1, 6-1 to Lucia Bronzetti at the Transylvania Open. The 33-year-old's decision follows a recent knee injury and a lengthy doping ban that limited her to just five tournaments since returning to the WTA Tour. Halep expressed her gratitude for her career and acknowledged the challenges of remaining competitive. Halep won her first major title at the French Open in 2018 and followed with a Wimbledon victory in 2019. She faced a four-year doping ban, which was later reduced to nine months, allowing her to return to the sport in March 2024.