If I win, it's nice. But even if I don't win, I will keep smiling.
Simona Halep
Of course I cannot win all the matches, but just to play my game.
My problem is that I'm negative - I come from Romania. Romanians are a little bit negative in thinking. Everyone knows that. That's normal here.
I've tried to learn something from other players and how they are really focused on the Grand Slams. I couldn't do that in the past.
It's great, and it's nice to have that feeling when you go home, all the people are supporting you. Of course, there are some people that are talking bad things, but it's normal, and I take them like positives, because not all the people can like me, so it's OK.
In my opinion, to be No. 1 in the world and to be the best player in the world, it's a little bit different.
If you have fun, if you enjoy life, I think that's the most important thing. And if I have that, and I am No. 1 in the world, looks like everything is good.
I feel that I can face any challenge.
I can honestly say that every time I go on court, I see the opponent in a competitive way, but not a rival.
I take every day like a big challenge.
I was very introverted. I am still an introvert.
It's really tough when you have back injury because you cannot bend; you cannot react at the balls.
I love the game, and I do not feel that I have sacrificed anything. On the contrary, I feel privileged to do something that I love.
I just want to be perfect on court, but is not possible. The perfect doesn't exist.
My psychologist told me I have to control my emotions and be more positive. She's taught me to stop the negative thoughts during the matches with some exercises. That's helped me make an improvement.
I have had to learn and to understand that sometimes I can't be always be at my best.
I don't have big muscles.
I have power inside. I fight.
My father was a footballer. I used to play a lot as a kid, but not like a team or something, just with my family having fun. It makes your legs stronger and helps your co-ordination.
For myself and my attitude, I have, every day, to work on it.
I'm pretty realistic. I cannot wish to be Chris Evert or Martina Navratilova because they won, like, a hundred Grand Slams.
Even when you are there on top, you feel the same nerves.
I feel like the people realize that if you don't give up, if you work, keep working on what you have less good, you can be able to realize your dream.
In my opinion, it's better to be alone out there, having to decide on your tactics during the matches. I would prefer it if it was just me and my opponent having to solve the problems out there on the court.
When I was young, I knew that I would be a short girl, not very tall.
I'm trying not to focus on the height of my opponent, just to play my tennis and to open the angles because it's the most important.
Every tournament is important.
When you play the Grand Slam, you have just to give everything you have.
The opponent has the chance to win the match, and I have a chance to win the match. It's open, and I have just to do everything I can there.
I prefer the Grand Slam than the No. 1, but still, to get No. 1, not many players did that, so it's going to be very important for me.
I don't feel pressure anymore in the negative way.
I set some goals: little goals first and then the big ones. I stopped thinking about big achievements.
When you start the match, you forget that you are No. 1, you have all the titles. You just have the battle ahead in front of you.
I feel thankful for everything I achieved.
Always I say, 'No. 1 in the world without a Grand Slam, you are not a real No. 1.'
I finished three years ranked No. 1, so the ranking doesn't matter anymore.
My challenge is to win every match I play.
It's difficult to keep going the good results, to feel good every tournament, every year in row.
For sure, I need a coach, because at this level, you cannot do it alone.
I play tennis because I like it.
Being No. 1 is great, but it is even better to win a Grand Slam.
It's tough to play with an injury.
I'm not very strong.
Always it's like big challenge for me. Every point is a big challenge. So I do everything I can.
I'm not tall.
I can play against anyone; I can win against anyone.
I just want to be quiet wherever I go, not seeing people, not facing more pressure, because every time now I go home, I will have so many people waiting for me.
For me, every tournament is important, and I feel that if I don't go into them with 100 per cent focus, I will not be ready for the Grand Slams.
I think to give everything I have on court is the best thing to do to win tournaments.
It's not easy to serve, because I'm not that tall, but I'm trying to be more consistent and to deliver heavier serves.
