Halep granted honorary citizenship of Bucharest
BUCHAREST, Romania - New World No.1 Simona Halep has been granted a special honor in her country's capital city - being named an honorary citizen of Bucharest.
The 26-year-old was awarded the title by Mayor Gabriela Firea, in a ceremony at the city's Excelsior Theatre on Tuesday.
"When I first came to Bucharest ten years ago, this city was strange to me, a Constanta-born," Halep told Romanian news outlets. "And yet today – the more so today – I can say I call this city ‘home’. Thank you for all the nice words, to all those who had my back and as well those who criticise me because, when getting criticised, you get motivated to be better.
"I hope I’ll further have good results, to make the people watching me happy. I know it is not easy, they wake up in the night to watch my games. This is a special moment and I want to thank my country."
Halep returned to the WTA World No.1 spot this week, reclaiming it from Caroline Wozniacki.
Read more: From Evert to Halep: All 25 WTA No.1s
