NEW YORK(SMI-WIRE,08.26-09.10.17)The USTA held its annual US Open player media availibility today, inviting credentialed US & International press members from broadcast and media outlets to participate in a press conference with World Ranked men's & women's tennis professional players that will compete in the 2017 US Open Tennis Championship starting on August 28, 2017 at Flushing Meadow Park Queens New York.

 

Top ranked players from Karolina Pliskova (Czech, world ranked# 1 ), Rafael Nadal(Spaniard world ranked # 1),Simona Halep (Romanian, world ranked #2), Roger Fereder (Swiss world ranked #3), Garbine Muguruza( Spaniard-Venezuelan world ranked #3 ), Angelique Kerber (German, world ranked #6 ),  Alexander Zverev (German, world ranked #6), Madison Keys (American, world ranked # 16), Andy Murray (British, world ranked # 2), and Caroline Wozniacki( Danish, world ranked #5 ), participated in the player media availibility with the press.

Simona Halep is a Romanian professional tennis player. Halep first broke into the world's top 50 at the end of 2012, reached the top 20 in August 2013, and finally the top 10 in January 2014. She won her first 6 WTA titles in the same calendar year in 2013 (a feat that was last achieved by Steffi Graf in 1986 when she won her first 7), being named the WTA's Most Improved Player at its end.

Halep reached the 2014 French Open final, her first Grand Slam final, where she lost to Maria Sharapova in three sets. She also reached the final of the WTA Finals the same year, losing to Serena Williams in straight sets after having defeated her earlier in the tournament. Halep continued her success throughout the 2015 and 2016 seasons winning 3 titles in each respective season (including 2 Premier Mandatory titles) and remaining within the Top 10.After the 2017 Wimbledon Championships, Simona Halep became the active player with the most consecutive weeks within the Top 10.

Simona Halep has self-described her playing style as being "an aggressive baseliner"and "she models her game on Justine Henin". Henin herself said the following about Halep: "She has an intelligent game. There is a little something that reminds me of myself... it is offensive and aggressive.

Starlight Media Illustrated attended the player-media availibility event at the US Open and this is what Simona Halep said during the Q & A from the press :

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Q. Where were you when you got word of your first-round draw?

SIMONA HALEP: On the tennis court. I was practicing.

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Q. And who told you? What was your reaction?

SIMONA HALEP: I received the message. My reaction was normal, because this year I had very tough draws every time almost. Of course was a little bit, like, How is possible again? Just first round of a Grand Slam.

But I felt okay. I did my practice normal. I didn't have, like, something emotional. I'm normal.

Q. What are your thoughts on Maria returning to play in a major, given what she was involved in and all that went into it?

SIMONA HALEP: About wildcard, the tournament decided, so they can do anything they want. Is not my position to talk about this.

She's coming back. She's strong enough to come back, in my opinion. She has a lot of experience, and also many tournaments won.

So I think she's okay. Facing her, I'm, like, it's going to be a big challenge, first round of Grand Slam to face her. She beat me six times. So maybe I will change this. We will see Monday.

I just want to do my best, to try to win the match and of course to enjoy it. It's a big, big match.

Q. What especially is it about her or her game that's been difficult for you before?

SIMONA HALEP: I was so close many times. I don't know exactly what to say about this, but just a little bit difficult because maybe of the game that she's playing flat, she's playing risky, and maybe in the most important moments during the matches against her I couldn't step in and just take the opportunity.

I can't analyze much the game against her.

Q. What do you think the crowd reaction is going to be? Knowing how close you are to becoming No. 1 in the world? Knowing that she's a former champion here. How...

SIMONA HALEP: Eight players are close to go to No. 1 after this tournament, so I'm not the only one.

I don't know about the crowd. We will see Monday. But everyone here was very fair to me always, and I had a very nice crowd.

So I don't expect anything bad. I just expect a nice atmosphere, like always here in US Open. And we will see when we gonna play. If it's gonna be night, will be better.

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Q. In 2014 you guys played a lot, you and Maria. How different of a player do you think you are? You haven't played her very often since that. I think just once. How different of a player do you think you are from 2014?

SIMONA HALEP: Well, I am different in all the ways, in my opinion. Mentally, also, like player, game, I feel stronger than 2014. I feel with more experience. I faced many situations in these three years.

I feel better, and I feel that I'm ready to face her again. Doesn't matter what the result will be. I just want to change something. Maybe I can win. We will see.

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Q. As you mentioned, eight players here could emerge as No. 1 by the end of this tournament. What does that say about the opportunity, not just for you guys at the very top, but for the entire field?

SIMONA HALEP: I think that everyone gets more confidence that everything is possible. Like we see the Grand Slams, champion Grand Slam is changing all the time, so I think all the players have to be, like, more confident and to think that everyone can do big things

Q. You have been so close to No. 1 a few times. Has that been hard mentally? How difficult is it kind of not to think about that?

SIMONA HALEP: Well, I was close -- well, in French Open, really close. And then in Wimbledon, but I can't say about final in Cincinnati because the score was pretty bad so I was not close.

I'm not thinking anymore. It was enough. I thought about it too much, I think, and maybe the pressure came in important moments, so now is gone. Everyone can take the No. 1, and if it's gonna happen, I will deserve it. If not, no, we will see.