“A place close to my heart”: Simona Halep embraces new role as Transylvania Open ambassador in emotional return to Cluj

Former world No. 1 Simona Halep is set to make a symbolic return to the Transylvania Open, this time from a position off the court. Tournament organisers confirmed that the Romanian icon has been named honorary ambassador of the WTA 250 event in Cluj-Napoca, underlining her lasting connection with one of the most emotional stops of her career.

Halep’s presence at the 2026 edition will go beyond a ceremonial role. She is scheduled to attend the tournament throughout the week — between January 31 and February 7 — engaging directly with players, volunteers and ball kids, while also taking part in official events that shape the identity of the competition. Her involvement aims to reinforce the tournament’s link with Romanian tennis and its future generations.

Few players have left such a deep mark on the sport in their country. Over a distinguished career, Halep captured 24 WTA titles, including two Grand Slams, and spent 64 weeks at the top of the world rankings. Her rise to No. 1 made history in Romania and turned her into a reference point for aspiring players across Eastern Europe.

“For me, the Transylvania Open is the place where I felt the support of Romanian fans at its highest level and lived moments that will always stay close to my heart,” she said, as reported by AgerPres Romania. “I’m happy to return and to bring a different kind of energy, one of supporting and inspiring future generations.”

The Transylvania Open has played a particularly meaningful role in her journey. Halep reached the final of the inaugural edition in 2021, and years later chose the Cluj-Napoca centre court to officially announce her retirement, following an emotional match in front of home fans. After her 1–6, 1–6 defeat to Lucia Bronzetti, Halep surprised the tennis world by taking the microphone and immediately announcing her retirement, explaining that she no longer felt capable of returning to the level of competitiveness she had reached in previous years.

Tournament director Patrick Ciorcilă thanked the presence of the former world No. 1 at the upcoming WTA 250 event, which will be held after the Australian Open and will mark the return to the European indoor hard-court swing in February. “It is a privilege that Simona Halep accepted our invitation to become honorary ambassador of the Transylvania Open,” he said. “She represents excellence in sport, total dedication and authentic performance. The fact that she is returning to Cluj in a new role, but with the same energy, means a great deal to us.”

“It is a gesture that shows how important the community created around this tournament is — for the players and for the public,” added Ciorcilă, the director of the Cluj-Napoca tournament.

The Transylvania Open has had five editions so far since 2021, the year in which Halep reached the final of the inaugural tournament. However, she was defeated in straight sets by former world No. 2 Anett Kontaveit of Estonia. Since then, local players Elena-Gabriela Ruse (2023) and Ana Bogdan (2024) have also reached the final, but Romania is still waiting for its first home champion.

In the 2025 final, Anastasia Potapova lifted the trophy after defeating Lucia Bronzetti 4–6, 6–1, 6–2 — notably the same player who became Halep’s last professional opponent.

For this year, Emma Raducanu is expected to headline the draw as top seed, while the local contingent will be led by top-40 players Jaqueline Cristian and Sorana Cîrstea. They will be joined by defending champion Potapova, runner-up Elisabetta Cocciaretto, former Olympic medallist Donna Vekić, and rising talents such as Petra Marcinko and Ella Seidel, among others.