Former world-renowned tennis player Simona Halep, a double Grand Slam winner, who spent several weeks as the world No. 1 in the WTA rankings, revealed whom she voted for to enter the famous Hall of Fame.
Not yet eligible for entry into this grand ranking and elitist hierarchy, having retired from active play just last year, Halep dreams of reaching this select category.
After being named by the WTA, along with Garbine Muguruza, as an ambassador for the Champions Tournament, Halep shared in an interview with The National that she voted for the Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova. Simona will only be eligible to be voted into the Hall of Fame starting from 2030 onwards.
In the category of former players, three people will be included in the Hall of Fame in 2026: Roger Federer, Juan Martin del Potro, and Svetlana Kuznetsova.
"It would probably be the most beautiful moment if I were included in the Hall of Fame. I was talking about it with Darren Cahill, and he told me: 'You will get there one day.' I replied: 'Well, I hope so,' because it's the cherry on top to be there. But we'll see," said Simona Halep for the aforementioned source.
Only Ilie Năstase has reached this prestigious category in tennis. Ilie was included here in 1991, for strictly sporting achievements. 22 years later, in 2013, Ion Țiriac became the 2nd Romanian included, but in a different category, namely for his contribution to the promotion of tennis.
Halep can boast 64 weeks at No. 1 in the WTA rankings, with 2 Grand Slam trophies, Wimbledon and Roland Garros, plus another 24 WTA titles in her collection.
D.A.