2018 WTA Finals: Halep taps Wozniacki, Kvitova, Osaka as favorites in open field
SINGAPORE - World No.1 Simona Halep says the field for the 2018 WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global is wide open, but taps defending champion Caroline Wozniacki, 2011 champion Petra Kvitova, and reigning US Open champion Naomi Osaka as the favorites for the title.
After becoming the only player to qualify for the Singapore edition of the WTA Finals all five years, the 27-year-old was forced to withdraw from the event due to a herniated disk in her back. Despite the withdrawal, Halep flew to Singapore to help celebrate Singapore's final staging of the year-end event, and took the time to meet with the press at WTA All Access Hour on Saturday.
When asked to put on her analyst's hat to assess the field that is set to compete next week, the 2014 finalist said the key will be which players can manage the pressure.
"Well, it's tough, because every match is like a final," Halep said. "Always I said that at this tournament.
"I can say I see some players that have a bigger chance, actually Wozniacki because she won last year and I think the court suits her. Petra has a big chance. Osaka has a big chance. I think everybody has a big chance," she said with a laugh.
"You never know. Also the emotions will play a big thing. We will see."
"This tournament I think for everybody is important, because you play with the best eight players in the world. It means that you had a good year, a great year, qualify for this event.
"For me, actually still means a lot, because I qualified five times in a row. It's a special event. Hopefully next year I can qualify again."
Halep is set to fly home on Sunday to begin her physical rehabilitation before heading off on a much-needed globe-trotting holiday. While she was disappointed to have to end her season with injury, the French Open champion has much to celebrate during the off-season after finishing as the WTA Year-End No.1 for the second consecutive season.
"Starting the next day after I will arrive home I have to start the treatment, so I will be in the gym every day. That's not something that I will love. But I have to do that.
"I have about four destinations where I'm going [on holiday], so I will enjoy it maximum. Because I need the holiday, and now I'm more relaxed with everything. So I will be okay."
Halep remains positive that her injury rehabilitation will not impact the start of the 2019 season.
"They said that I need a break, around three, four weeks. And with the treatment, physiotherapy, and also exercises, medical exercises, should be okay.
"Actually, nothing is for sure, but what is sure is that I don't need surgery. So that is a big positive. I will take care of it. I have enough time. If mentally I will be okay and rested, I think it's going to be better."
