Simona Halep joins Juan Martin del Potro for special Moldova appearance
Tennis NewsSaturday, 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.”
Read also
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.”
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- It's a shame that the WTA is calling the wrong person into meetings and intimidating them like this. Good on the player for speaking out. You can't expect Ukrainians to put aside that Russia has been bombing them for years and is still doing so.
- The girl needs professional help... and I don't mean sports.
- The way the current tennis players perform today, especially in the WTA, they should not be given any extra money. Let them boycott. They do not look like professionals. More balls land out of bounds and into the net than anything.
- Way past time for chair umps to REGAIN CONTROL over these entitled 'Special People'.
- WTF is this here for????
- Doubt she recalls which 'man' she acquired those underwear from... but the label probably has "ATP" on it.
- I've lately been thinking everyone is pointing to the wrong location for "illness" and constant "injury". Perhaps some 'couch time' is in order at this point?
- She has long outlived this shitshow she started. So, according to this lucky winner, ALL THE WORLD's CITIZENS should shun one another while forced to live under threatening, insane Leaders and Regimes? A sad individual who thinks she's changing the World with her ridiculous shunning of Russian opponents. Must be a hard life worrying about Ukraine from her balcony overlooking Monte Carlo? WTA needs to take a REAL stand here. Otherwise ban flags and handshakes by Russia, China, Israel, Iran, USA..... (Get the picture??)
- They still with that crap??? These Ukrainians need to just stop. Your Russian opponents have nothing to do with the war against your country. They didn't start it and by you not shaking their hands certainly won't end it. All this bitterness and unforgiveness will not augur well for these silly women.
- Tennis knows it has a huge problem with Hi-Tech line calls on clay. They've admitted so behind closed doors. However they do nothing except make a rule that no one can argue a call; no matter the proof. Perhaps the new WTA CEO will take a stand??
Loading