Simona Halep targets Olympic medal in Tokyo

Simona Halep is spending the seventh consecutive year in the top-10, becoming the eighth player who achieved that since the start of the WTA rankings.

The Romanian would love to perform on a high level throughout the season and stay competitive, setting eyes on the Tokyo Olympic games as one of her main goals.

"I'm almost 30. I've spent six to seven years at the top. I can handle that pressure and be in relaxation mode slightly and say what comes is a bonus. The tough moments that I had taught me that every moment is important, and even if something really bad happens, like losing an easy match or the Major final, if you shake your head and wake up the next morning to continue to work, there is a better chance to become better. 'I'm good; things are excellent here in Adelaide. We have good conditions. I did all the scans for the lungs and the heart because we had to have a heart echography to return to play.

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I did everything, and nothing's changed. All is good. The break was good because I've had almost 10 years playing every week, every month. So this break was helpful for me, for my mind. Ash Barty comes on Friday, and we will play a match. I can't wait for that because it means I will be out of quarantine. For two weeks, I've only seen my team. I expect it to be a little bit weird for the next week because it will be busy and back to normal life. Having an official match after practicing only with one player for two weeks will be interesting for everybody. But I also expect good times because here we are free to do everything.

We can go to eat at restaurants, which we greatly missed during the tournaments. We can go shopping. My feet and my hands are burning already. I expect a good run. You never know the results, but at least I know it will be a good time. The ambition, I can say, is every tournament I play. I always said that every event is important to me.

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But now, you don't know what's going to happen the next week, so you have to be focused on what you have that week. I learned from last year that you have to live every day. The main goal is a medal at the Olympics, to go there and be able to compete at the highest level, but every tournament is a goal for me this year." Simona Halep said.