Simona Halep’s father: I told her not to come back home without the cup!

Although she said she felt no pressure before the US Open, many expect a surprise win from Romanian tennis star Simona Halep, especially give the mental form she has displayed in her matches at the American tournament so far. Her father, who is also her biggest supporter, made a statement that reflects what most of her fans in Romania think: “She fought like a soldier in Vietnam, she was superb! Incredible! I was expecting this because Simona has the strength to fight to the last drop of blood. I’ve always trusted and I still believe that she will make miracles. I’ve told her not to come home without the cup,” Halep’s father said, according to Digi 24. Halep is playing for a place in the US Open final on Friday evening (September 11). Her match against Italy’s Flavia Pennetta should have taken place on Thursday night, but it was rescheduled because of the rain. Simona Halep, who had modest results in Grand Slam tournaments this year, seems to have regained her mojo. She had two very difficult matches against German Sabine Lisicki and Belarussian Victoria Azarenka, which she won after putting up a great fight. This has brought her new praises from the international press, pundits, and other tennis players. “I think that my strength comes from within, during the games. I’m not that strong physically, I don’t have solid muscles, nor am I tall, but I fight,” said Halep in a press conference, when asked about the secret to her success. “This strength comes naturally, from within me. I didn’t work to get it. Maybe my parents gave it to me,” she added. Simona Halep had a spectacular ascent last year when she won several important tournaments and reached the final of the French Open at Roland Garros. She also played in the semifinals at Wimbledon and went up to number 2 in the WTA ranking of the best women's tennis players in the world. This year, she didn’t repeat those performances, but she had a good streak before the US Open, playing two tournament finals, in Toronto and Cincinnati. Romania’s Simona Halep makes it to US Open semifinals for the first time Romania’s Simona Halep comes back from behind to reach US Open quarter-finals for the first time editor@romania-insider.com (Photo source: US Open on Facebook)