Get 40% Off
🤯 This Tech Portfolio is up 29% YTD! Join Now to Get April’s Top PicksGet The Picks – Just 99 USD

Hard for Halep to think of top spot while Serena rules

Published 03/24/2015, 07:16 PM
Updated 03/24/2015, 07:20 PM
© Reuters. Tennis: BNP Paribas Open-Halep vs Jankovic

© Reuters. Tennis: BNP Paribas Open-Halep vs Jankovic

By Simon Evans

MIAMI (Reuters) - World number three Simona Halep says it is hard to imagine reaching the top of the world rankings as long as Serena Williams is playing the game but believes she has what it takes to win a grand slam.

The Romanian arrives in Florida for this week's Miami Open off the biggest success in her career with a victory over Jelena Jankovic in the final of the BNP Paribas (PARIS:BNPP) Open at Indian Wells on Sunday.

The win was the third of the year for the 23-year-old following victories at Shenzhen and Dubai and while she is firmly entrenched as number three, behind Williams and Maria Sharapova, she says getting to top spot may be a step too far.

"When Serena is number one, its hard to think of being number one," Halep told reporters on Tuesday. "But still I have confidence that I can win more titles and reach a higher ranking."

The Miami Open has almost become the personal property of the Williams sisters, who live in nearby Palm Beach Garden and have won the event 10 times, Serena lifting the title on seven occasions and Venus three.

Still, Halep, who has never ventured past the third round in Miami, doesn't believe that Williams is unbeatable.

"She (Serena) is very strong, she is a great champion, she has been up there for many years. She knows how to manage every situation," praised Halep. "I admire her a lot and learnt many things from her.

"After the first match at Indian Wells I told my coach that I really wanted to play her in the semifinals but it didn't happen because of her injury.

"I really want to meet her many times, because I become stronger after I play her," she added.

Halep has her eyes on becoming the first Romanian woman since her manager, Virginia Ruzici, French Open winner in 1978, to secure a grand slam title.

"I can say I feel ready because I just won a premier tournament which is almost like a grand slam," said Halep. "But still I am very far and I just want to be very focused.

"My dream is to win a grand slam, I don't know if it will happen in this life. But I just want to work hard every day to reach a (major) title," she said.

Halep's climb up the rankings has attracted little fanfare but she laughs at the idea that she is a ‘rising star' in the game.

© Reuters. Tennis: BNP Paribas Open-Halep vs Jankovic

"I'm not young," smiled the 24-year-old Romanian. "I am already older, I am used to being in the top, I have a year there, I have experience and feel ready to play with everyone at every tournament."

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.