Halep 'enjoying the moment' on top of the world

Simona Halep is happy to simply enjoy her time in the spotlight after securing the WTA Year-End World No.1 spot for the second successive year.

"I feel like I've played a good level of tennis, and I was consistent...very consistent and very strong, mentally and physically," Halep said in a media conference call.

"I just want to be happy about what I've done and to enjoy the moment. For sure, it's the best part."

The Romanian has spent 40 weeks in the top spot in 2018, and she admitted: "It's really tough to keep [the No.1 spot] because the pressure is every tournament."

She paid tribute to her friends and family as well as coach Darren Cahill, and added that she had been inspired by former World No.1s including Kim Clijsters, Amelie Mauresmo, and Maria Sharapova.

This year Halep has won the Shenzhen Open and the Rogers Cup presented by Banque Nationale in Montréal as well as her debut Grand Slam crown at Roland Garros. She also reached the final at the Australian Open, Internazionali BNL d'Italia and the Western & Southern Open.

She has qualified for the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global for the fifth consecutive year, and is the only player who will have appeared in Singapore for all five stagings of the prestigious season-ending event.

"I'm really proud - it's amazing that I have been able to do this," she said of her repeat appearances in Singapore, where later this month she will be presented with the WTA Year-End World No.1 trophy.

She also gave a short update on her fitness following the back trouble that forced her out of competition in Beijing, saying: "I’m doing physio to try to make [my back] stronger, but I haven’t practiced 100 per cent yet. If I can’t play here [in Moscow for the Kremlin Cup] I’m very doubtful that I will be able to play in Singapore...I don’t know now, but for sure I will take a decision for my health first."