Martina Navratilova hails changes in ‘true world number one’ Simona Halep

WTA Tour
Simona Halep with French Open trophy

Simona Halep is playing like a true world number one, says WTA legend Martina Navratilova.

The Romanian has been around the top of the rankings all year as Serena Williams’ absence created a void at the top of the woman’s game.

However, her win at Roland Garros appears to have transformed her attitude, says Navratilova, after years of struggling to break her Grand Slam duck.

“It has taken her a while to grow into the role,” Navratilova told wtatennis.com, “but Simona Halep is definitely looking and playing like the world number one.

“With just over a week to go until the US Open, there is a new confidence and a new attitude now to Halep, who won the Montreal title last weekend.

“She seems to be saying to the rest of the WTA tour: “I’m No.1 and you’re going to have to try to knock me off my perch.”

“Winning a first major at the French Open brought about this change in Halep.

The majors are more important now than they were when I was playing.

“Now you’re not a legitimate No.1 in anyone’s eyes unless you have won a major somewhere along the way.

“So Halep has cemented her place at the top and taken a big monkey off her back.”

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