Simona Halep and Juan Martin del Potro to return for exhibition event

Saturday, 09 May 2026 at 02:30

Simona Halep and Juan Martin del Potro will return to court later this month as the headline names for the opening of Moldova’s new National Training Centre in Chisinau. Both recently retired from professional tennis but will take part in a mixed doubles exhibition during the ceremony on 23 May.

The former Grand Slam champions will play alongside Moldovan No. 1 Radu Albot and 17-year-old junior Lia Belibov. Halep retired back in 2025 after ongoing physical struggles, while Del Potro stepped away from the ATP Tour following years of knee injuries that repeatedly disrupted his career.

The exhibition is part of a wider push to grow tennis in Moldova through the launch of the new National Training Centre, built with support from the ITF Facility Grant programme. The venue includes professional-level courts and development programmes aimed at increasing access to the sport across the country.

“We are proud and excited to welcome Grand Slam champions Simona Halep and Juan Martin del Potro for the opening event of the NTC,” said Moldova Tennis Federation president Ceslav Ciuhrii. “Their presence is not only a celebration for fans, but also a powerful inspiration for the next generation of Moldovan players. It underlines the level of ambition we have for this project and for the future of tennis in Moldova.”

ATP Challenger and Davis Cup events to follow

The opening of the new centre will also launch an important stretch for Moldovan tennis. The following week, the venue will host the Moldova Open, an ATP Challenger tournament, before staging Davis Cup Europe Group III ties in June for the first time since 2014.

Moldova has regularly hosted junior events in recent years but has had limited presence on the professional circuit. Officials believe the new facility could help change that by creating stronger pathways for players while also attracting more international competitions.

“It is also significant that the NTC will host both an ATP Challenger 100 event and Davis Cup ties,” Ciuhrii added. “This combination reflects two key directions of our strategy: integration into the global professional circuit and the strengthening of our national team pathway.

“Bringing these events together in one venue sends a strong signal that Moldova is ready to be a consistent and reliable host for international tennis.”

ITF views project as long-term investment

The ITF will also assess the centre through its National Training Centre Recognition Programme, introduced in 2018 to improve standards worldwide. The programme evaluates coaching, facilities, fitness support and player development systems, with 29 centres currently recognised globally.

Debbie Kirkwood, the ITF’s Head of Performance and Events, is expected to attend the opening ceremony and said the project reflects the organisation’s wider objective of expanding quality training environments across more nations.

“It is all about raising and monitoring standards. We want more players from more nations participating in quality training environments on a daily basis. Ultimately, we want quality training under the supervision of high-level coaches in well-managed facilities which have an holistic approach.”

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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