"It would have been nice" - Halep on not opening Centre Court play

Simona Halep did not get the chance to open the centre court and it was disappointing for her but she's ready to work for the honour.

This is Halep’s first return to SW19 since winning the 2019 title, having seen the 2020 edition cancelled due to Covid-19 and then missing last year through injury. It is Wimbledon tradition for the defending women’s champion to open Centre Court action on the first Tuesday, something Halep was not able to do due to her absence last year.

But with 2021 champion Ash Barty now retired there was an opening, but tournament officials instead gave the slot to world number one Iga Swiatek. Halep admitted being disappointed to miss out.

"I’ve said this too much to say. But I can say that I feel sad that I missed it because I was injured, so I couldn’t really take the chance. It would have been very nice to open the tournament. But my chance is gone. So probably in this life I can have another chance, so I will look forward to that. Not that simple, but I’m going to work for that.”