"The chances are minimal" states Simona Halep on Olympic Games dream after intitially targeting Paris
WTAMonday, 25 March 2024 at 21:00
Simona
Halep commented on her desires to qualify for the upcoming Paris Olympics but
acknowledged that her chances are minimal. The former world No. 1 exited in the
first round of the Miami Open against Paula Badosa, although after 19 months of
absence, she showed a good level of tennis.
At 32 years
old, Halep saw her doping ban reduced, which initially would not have allowed
her to compete until 2026, and she immediately returned to the WTA Tour, albeit
without points or ranking at the moment.
Nevertheless,
the 2-time Grand Slam champion acknowledged that she would like to participate
in the Olympic Games, knowing that her chances are low with the little time she
has to accumulate points.
"I
would very much like to be able to qualify, but from what I understand, the
chances are minimal. To play in the Olympics in Paris would be wonderful, but I
don't want to get my hopes up too high. The chances are minimal, because I
don't have ranking and I have to be in the first 60-70, something like
that," she said.
Read also
The top 56
ranked tennis players qualify for the Olympics, with a limit of four players
per country. Countries like the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, and the
Czech Republic have more than four players within the qualifying zone, so the
last qualifiers could be close to around the world No. 70. This implies that
the Romanian must have around 1000 points by the deadline.
For this,
the ranking after Wimbledon will be considered, meaning that Halep has to earn
points in the season on clay, a surface that suits her well as a former French
Open champion, and then on grass, where she was also a champion of her second
Grand Slam at Wimbledon. However, Halep also depends on getting some wildcards
to enter the main tournaments.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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