Simona Halep's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Simona Halep.

Simona Halep is a Romanian former professional tennis player who achieved the world No. 1 ranking in women's singles by the WTA for 64 weeks and finished as the year-end No. 1 in 2017 and 2018. She secured 25 WTA Tour-level titles throughout her career, most notably winning two Grand Slam titles at the 2018 French Open and the 2019 Wimbledon Championships. Halep is considered one of the most successful tennis players from Romania.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1973: Historical Fed Cup Semifinal

In 1973, Romania had last reached the Semifinals of the World Group, which makes the 2019's achievement their best result.

1986: Won her first six WTA titles in the same season in 2013, the first to do so since Steffi Graf in 1986

Simona Halep won her first six WTA titles in the same season in 2013, the first to do so since Steffi Graf in 1986, leading to her being named the WTA Most Improved Player of the year.

1997: Martina Hingis at the 1997 Australian Open

In 2014, Halep reached her maiden Grand Slam final at the French Open without dropping a set, making her the first woman to achieve this since Martina Hingis at the 1997 Australian Open.

2009: WTA 1000 finals

In August of 2022, at the Canadian Open, Halep reached the semifinals, and became the player with the joint-most WTA 1000 18 finals to level with Serena Williams since 2009.

2014: Fed Cup Success and Promotion

In 2014, Halep rejoined the Romania Fed Cup team as they swept their group, defeating Hungary, Great Britain, and Latvia, despite Halep's first Fed Cup singles loss to Tímea Babos against Hungary. They then won a playoff against Ukraine to advance to the World Group II play-offs. Halep and Sorana Cîrstea won the two singles rubbers.

2014: WTA Most Popular Player of the Year

In 2014, Simona Halep was named the WTA Most Popular Player of the Year for being the most-clicked player on the WTA website.

2015: Strong Start and Title Wins in 2015

In 2015, Halep started strong, reaching at least the quarterfinals in her first six events. After winning the Shenzhen Open, she reached the quarterfinals at the Australian Open. She then won the Dubai Tennis Championships and the Indian Wells Open. Her win streak ended at the Miami Open, where she lost in the semifinals to Serena Williams. During the clay court season, she reached two semifinals and was upset in the second round of the French Open and Wimbledon.

2015: Promotion to World Group II

In 2015, Romania defeated Serbia 4–1 in the World Group II play-offs to get promoted to World Group II. Halep and Cîrstea each played two singles rubbers, with Halep suffering the only loss against Ana Ivanovic.

2015: WTA Most Popular Player of the Year

In 2015, Simona Halep was named the WTA Most Popular Player of the Year for being the most-clicked player on the WTA website.

2016: Challenges and Recovery in 2016

In 2016, Halep had a slow start, including an opening round loss at the Australian Open. She dealt with an Achilles injury and infections. In March, she lost in the quarterfinals at the Indian Wells Open and the Miami Open. However, she won the Madrid Open, returning to the top 5. She lost to Samantha Stosur in the fourth round of the French Open and reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon.

2017: Year-end No. 1 in 2017

In 2017 Simona Halep was ranked as the year-end No. 1.

2017: Fed Cup World Group II Play-offs

In 2017, Halep was instrumental in Romania winning the Fed Cup tie 3–2 against Great Britain to remain in World Group II, winning both her singles matches.

2017: WTA Fan Favorite Singles Player of the Year in 2017

In 2017, Simona Halep was named the WTA Fan Favorite Singles Player of the Year.

2017: WTA Fan Favorite Singles Player

In 2017, Simona Halep was named the WTA Fan Favorite Singles Player.

2018: Celebrations after French Open

After winning the 2018 French Open, Simona Halep was welcomed back to Romania with large celebrations at the Arena Națională in Bucharest, attended by about 15,000 people.

2018: Romania Advances to World Group Play-offs

Although Halep missed the 2018 World Group II tie due to injury, Romania won the tie against Canada to advance back to the World Group play-offs.

2018: Year-end No. 1 in 2018

In 2018 Simona Halep was ranked as the year-end No. 1.

2018: WTA Fan Favorite Singles Player of the Year in 2018

In 2018, Simona Halep was named the WTA Fan Favorite Singles Player of the Year.

2018: Best Returner on WTA Tour

In 2018, Simona Halep was one of the best returners on the WTA Tour, ranking first in percentage of first serve return points won at 42.9%, fourth in percentage of second serve return points won at 60.8%, first in percentage of return games won at 48.5%, and ninth in percentage of break points won at 50.1%.

2018: Won French Open with Cahill

In 2018, Simona Halep won her first Grand Slam title at the French Open with Darren Cahill as her coach. Cahill left her team after the 2018 season to spend more time with his family.

2018: Won her first major title at the 2018 French Open

Simona Halep won her first major title at the 2018 French Open.

2019: Celebrations after Wimbledon

After winning the 2019 Wimbledon, Simona Halep was welcomed back to Romania with large celebrations at the Arena Națională in Bucharest, attended by about 30,000 people.

2019: Romania reaches Fed Cup Semifinals

In 2019, Romania reached the Fed Cup semifinals for the first time since 1973. Halep won both of her singles matches against the Czech Republic in the first round, and Romania eventually won the tie. In the semifinals against France, Halep won her two singles matches, but Romania lost in the decisive doubles rubber.

2019: Promotion to Top-Tier World Group

In 2019, Romania secured promotion back to the top-tier World Group in Fed Cup, with Halep winning two singles rubbers against Switzerland.

2019: Year-End No. 1 Ranking

In 2019, Simona Halep finished the year with the No. 1 ranking.

2019: Won Wimbledon with Dobre

In 2019, Simona Halep hired Daniel Dobre as her coach and won her second Grand Slam title at Wimbledon. In the autumn of 2019, she announced the return of Darren Cahill as coach.

2019: WTA Fan Favorite Singles Player of the Year in 2019

In 2019, Simona Halep was named the WTA Fan Favorite Singles Player of the Year.

2019: Claimed the 2019 Wimbledon Championships

Simona Halep defeated Serena Williams to claim the 2019 Wimbledon Championships.

2020: WTA Title Wins and French Open Loss in 2020

In 2020, Halep won her 20th, 21st, and 22nd WTA titles in Dubai, Prague, and Rome, respectively. She lost to Iga Świątek in the fourth round of the French Open, missing out on regaining the No. 1 ranking. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted much of the season.

August 2021: Ranked in the top 10 until August 2021

From January 27, 2014, to August 8, 2021, Simona Halep was ranked in the top 10 for 373 consecutive weeks.

2022: 23rd Title and Coaching Change in 2022

In 2022, Halep won her 23rd title at the Melbourne Summer Set 1. At the Australian Open, she lost in the fourth round. She reached the semifinals of the Dubai Open and lost in the first round of the Qatar Open. Halep then announced Patrick Mouratoglou as her full-time coach.