“I was terrified and started to cry”: Simona Halep explains why surgery became inevitable in her junior years

Simona Halep has spoken candidly about one of the most defining and misunderstood decisions of her life: the breast-reduction surgery she underwent as a teenager to save her tennis career. In a newly shared video published by one of her sponsors, the Romanian star revisited the moment that forced her to confront fear, doubt, and the reality of her physical limits just as her professional journey was beginning. “I arrived at Roland Garros in great shape and I won it. It was a dream,” Halep recalled. “And then, during training, suddenly… I locked up. I couldn’t move. I was very scared and I started to cry,”

For Halep, then only 17, the issue was far more serious than simple discomfort. A chronic back problem—unknown to many at the time—had begun to impact her biomechanics, confidence, and ability to compete at the intensity required to progress in the sport. The junior Roland Garros champion suddenly found herself debating a career-altering operation long before most players even break into the professional ranks. “I already had a serious spine problem. I was 17 and it was too early to make such a decision, but it was a yes-or-no issue. I knew I could not play tennis at the highest level without it,” the former world No. 1 added.

The teenager who had just won the biggest junior title in the world was forced to choose between immediate physical relief and a long future on the tour. Halep described feeling overwhelmed by the pressure, yet guided by a conviction stronger than the uncertainty around her. The surgery, she revealed, was ultimately driven by a belief that her long-term career depended on it. “I had faith; I knew the sacrifice was worth it,” the Romanian said, reflecting on a decision that shaped her rise to two Grand Slam titles and the World No. 1 ranking.

Her message now, years later, is aimed at young athletes and anyone facing a difficult, deeply personal crossroads. Halep emphasises the role of inner conviction, determination and courage in forging a path forward. Her closing words in the video underline the philosophy that guided her through one of the hardest moments of her youth: “You build your own future. The first step is faith—that you can reach where you want.”

The physical change translated into on-court evolution. Known for her explosive movement and clean baseline timing, Halep became one of the fastest and most tactically disciplined players on the WTA Tour. Her post-surgery rise was rapid: 6 titles in 2013, her first Grand Slam final in 2014 at Roland Garros. Her breakthrough into the Top 10 and subsequent ascent to No. 1 would not have been possible without the physical liberation she gained at 17.

She wonr her first major at the 2018 French Open, after lost in three consecutive finals. She added a second Slam at Wimbledon in 2019, famously defeating Serena Williams in a near-flawless performance with just three unforced errors. In her own telling, that choice was the first major test of her career—and the moment she realised that faith in one’s path must precede visible results.

Halep’s career took an unexpected detour with her 2022 suspension for testing positive for Roxadustat at the US Open. She always maintained her innocence, insisting the substance entered her system through contaminated supplements. After months of legal battles, appeals, and independent reviews, the Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced her suspension from four years to nine months, acknowledging unintentional ingestion. The reduction theoretically made her eligible to return immediately.

The controversy deeply affected her reputation and mental health, and Halep openly described the period as the most difficult of her life. She attempted a comeback in 2024 but struggled with rhythm, timing, and lingering injuries. Despite significant public support, Halep ultimately decided to step away from the sport for good, officially confirming her retirement in 2025 as she concluded that her body could no longer sustain the demands of elite-level tennis.