"I’m analysing things I never used to analyse" - Simona Halep reveals why she enjoys watching Iga Swiatek

Former number one and two-time Grand Slam winner Simona Halep revealed that despite not watching much tennis, she tunes in to watch Iga Swiatek, and has even analysed her, outstanded by what he is watching.

The Romanian was once a dominant force in the game, eventually winning her maiden Grand Slam at Roland Garros in 2018 against American Sloane Stephens. This was her fourth final, and in her fifth, she got the better of 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams at Wimbledon the next year.

She would continue to compete with the best until her career was provisionally halted through a doping violation. Halep had been banned after she tested positive for the substance roxadustat at the US Open in 2022. A year later, she was handed a four-year ban from the sport, but she successfully got it overturned at the Court of Appeal, returning to tennis.

Her career did not last much longer, with the 34-year-old calling it quits earlier this year after struggling with injuries on her return to tennis.

The 24-year-old has taken the tennis world by storm these last few years. She burst onto the scene after she tasted success at Roland Garros in 2020 for her first Grand Slam. From 2022, she would dominate in Paris, winning three consecutive majors on clay. She claimed her first hard-court major at the US Open in 2022.

It has not been Swiatek's best year by her incredibly high standards. Two Grand Slam semi-finals inclduing her incredible winning streak at Roland Garros coming to an end. She failed to reach a final until the Bad Homburg Open, where American number two Jessica Pegula got the better of the Pole.

She would then go on to have an almost flawless Wimbledon campaign, losing just one set on her way to the final, where she looked unbeatable. She proved that in the final, defeating American Amanda Anisimova in straight sets without even dropping a gamIga Swiatek romped

Her tennis has sparked conversation from many for all the right reasons, with Halep one of the fans who embraces when she is on the court. The Romanian revealed that she learnt stuff from watching the world number three that she did not pick up on in her playing career.

"I don’t watch much tennis, but from time to time, I do tune in to matches," Halep said. "I really like Swiatek because she’s a complete player. I watched the Wimbledon final (against Amanda Anisimova) since I was in London to attend the match. She has excellent positioning and moves very well. I’m analysing things I never used to analyse when I was a player. I found her strong. Before, if you’d asked me to talk about it, I wouldn’t have noticed all this."

Swiatek is currently competing in Cincinnati after a disappointing Canadian Open, where she lost in the round of 16 to Clara Tauson. The Pole eased through her first game against Anastasia Popotova before being placed straight into the fourth round after her third-round opponent, Marta Kostyuk, pulled out of the event due to a wrist injury.

Sorana Cirestea would be in her way, but Swiatek breezed passed her before similarly getting the better of Russian Anna Kalinskaya. Her semi-final will be her toughest test of the tournament, as she prepares to face off against Elena Rybakina, who gunned down the world number one Aryna Sabalenka in fine fashion.

Yet to drop a set, her preparation for the upcoming US Open is going smoothly. She will be looking to add to her title from 2022, along with possible success in the revamped mixed doubles competition. She will partner three three-time Grand Slam runner-up Casper Ruud in the event held just before the main draw.