Simona all smiles with pressure off after #RG18

“I was actually working for this every day since I started to play professional tennis,” stated Simona Halep during her pre-Wimbledon duties, reflecting on a maiden Major triumph at Roland-Garros last month.

“So I don't stress myself any more with that Grand Slam thing. It's nice to be in this position. I feel more relaxed. I feel more concentrated on my game.”

"Inside of myself it's a change"

Despite accomplishing her dream, Halep arrives at SW19 eager to build on a solitary semi-final showing from 2014 and two consecutive Wimbledon quarter-finals in the past two Championships.

“Of course, inside of myself it's a change because I'm really happy that I was able to break that barrier. Life is the same. Everybody's the same. I am the same. I have to start again to play tournaments,” added the 26-year-old. “I'm here ready to go ahead. I'm really looking forward to start it. I smile a lot. I feel happy. I'm happy to be back on court.”

The scenes back in Romania following her Parisian triumph were simply staggering as over 20,000 fans packed into the National Arena to hail their first Grand Slam champion in 40 years.

"It's not going to be a bigger pressure now"

“It was one of my best moments. It was special. I took a lot of energy from them. It's really nice to see that those people were appreciating my work and my result.  I had tears in my eyes actually receiving the love from the people,” admitted the Wimbledon top seed, before dismissing any talk of a nation’s expectations resting heavily on her shoulders.

“I don't believe that now is going to be a bigger pressure than before because before was huge pressure and everyone was talking that I'm not able to win a Grand Slam because I am weak mentally. But now I did it. I feel like the people realise that if you don't give up, keep working on what you have less good, you can be able to realise your dream.”

Simona raring to go

A few days ago the Roland-Garros ruler was found hitting on match court 14 at the All England Club with 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt. Quite the calibre of hitting partner. Onto the green lawns for the first time, without any build-up tournaments, Halep insists she is raring to go to face world No.100 Kurumi Nara in the first round on Tuesday.

“I slept a lot when I had those two weeks off,” said a Halep with a smirk after replenishing her resources since Roland-Garros. “I came here a week ago. I practiced on grass. I feel okay. I feel ready.

“I had only 10 days to relax. I relaxed because I didn't play tennis. I needed a break. But I knew that I have actually to keep myself together for this Grand Slam. Is an important tournament. I have to be focused on it. But after this tournament, I will have a big holiday. I really need it.”

For now, Halep cannot afford to ‘switch off’, focusing on applying her tried and tested preparations to plot a potential deep run in south west London.

Routine required?

“I have my superstitions, but I never talk about them. So, I'm not going to tell you the superstitions,” continued the jovial world No.1 “The routine is the same: practice, shower in the same spot, changing the clothes in the same spot in the locker room, making my hair. Never looks good on court, but I try. I try my best every time. Normal things. Nothing special. Normal routine every day.”

That routine has paid dividends so far in 2018. Maybe a routine will be required for the fortnight at SW19.