Simona Halep, who defeated Caroline Garcia in her opening match at the WTA Finals, 6-4, 6-2, says her long road to No. 1 was worth it.
The 24-year-old was a match away from the top spot four times before finally securing it by defeating Jelena Ostapenko in the Beijing semifinals two weeks ago. This week's WTA Finals in Singapore is her first official event since becoming the world's top player.
"I'm really excited to be here and to be No. 1 in the world. Inside I can say that something is changed. I'm very happy about what I did," she said, speaking to press before the WTA Finals. "Is just the best feeling that I ever had in my tennis career so far. I'm happy when I'm going to the courts now."
But the new No. 1 is also aiming to keep playing the same way that got her there. Halep is among seven players who could finish the season in the top spot at the WTA Finals in Singapore this week.
"Nothing changes. It's just I have to work harder to keep that," said Halep. "I play better when I'm not thinking about No. 1, so I have a lot of experience this year. I'm just going there to give my best, to try to be focused on what I have to play in each match."
Still, the Romanian marked the occasion with a trip back home following Beijing.
"I won the match against Ostapenko, that was the best day, by far, best feeling. But when I went home, I had all the friends, family ," she said. "I had some good dinners with them.
"But I haven't done a big party... finish here, to go to the holiday, and then I will have a big party."
