Simona Halep has recalled her shock at running into Roger Federer for the first time, with the then-teenager stunned by her initial encounter with the Swiss legend.
“At Wimbledon, 2007, I was a junior and went to the stringer to leave a racquet,” the former No. 1 told Romanian website Digisport.
“I saw him there, I froze, I didn’t know how to react, but I handed him my junior accreditation badge and asked if he could sign it,”
The reigning Wimbledon champion added: “He asked me what I was doing there, how I was, I told him that I like tennis, that I’m at Wimbledon.
“I had (also) never seen a grass court before. Even though he was very famous and at the top in our sport, he talked to me and wished me well.”
Halep said that once the 39-year-old retires, it will be a “tragedy.”
“It will be a tragedy, for our sport, for his colleagues, we will miss him very much.”
Halep, a five-time Grand Slam finalist with two trophies at the majors added:
“Federer was an idol for our whole generation, beautiful on the court and a very civilised man, with good sense, warm with everyone.
“(He is) a genius, it would be sad enough for the sport for Federer to disappear, but I think that when he decides this, it will be a wise decision.
“Life means something other than tennis, he is old and what he has achieved is enormous.”
Main photo:- Current Wimbledon Champion Simona Halep with her trophy by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd
Elena Rybakina dodged a bullet on Wednesday, saving two match points to stay in the…
The Madrid Masters lost a third major drawcard in 24 hours on Wednesday, with world…
Andrey Rublev called a halt to the winning run of Carlos Alcaraz at the Madrid…
Top seed Jannik Sinner is taking his progress at the Madrid Masters step by step…
Rafael Nadal played his final match at the Madrid Masters on Tuesday with the king…
Jannik Sinner's existing hip pain problem proved to be a minor distraction as the top…