Halep reveals why she plays her best tennis in Dubai

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Halep reveals why she plays her best tennis in Dubai
Simona finally lifted a major trophy with a three-set win over Sloane Stephens in the French Open.

Dubai - The Romanian relishes the atmosphere and feels relaxed

By Rituraj Borkakoty

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Published: Sun 17 Feb 2019, 6:45 PM

Last updated: Sun 17 Feb 2019, 8:53 PM

Simona Halep returns to one of her favourite tournaments on the Tour as a Grand Slam champion.
Having won the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships title in 2015, the Romanian expected to win the big ones only to suffer three heartbreaks - the last of which came at the 2018 Australian Open final.
But the 27-year-old player finally lifted a major trophy with a three-set win over American Sloane Stephens in the French Open final last year.
And now Halep enters the Dubai tournament on a back of a runner-up finish last week.
"I feel good. A little bit tired, but it's normal. I just arrived. Yeah, I'm looking forward actually to starting with this one and see how it's going to go," the world number three said.
"Whenever I come here, it's a good feeling. I always have a good feeling coming back to Dubai."
So what's so special about Dubai?
"The atmosphere. The people, they are very nice to me. I feel like holiday sometimes. That's why maybe I'm relaxed and I can play my best tennis," she said.
"Like I said, everywhere I win a tournament, I have good memories. When I come, I feel safer.
"And Dubai, the place, everyone is relaxed here. They are coming to watch the matches. I can even go to the malls when I have time. It's different."
rituraj@khaleejtimes.com


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