Billie Jean King and Paula Badosa react as Simona Halep announces her retirement from tennis

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Simona Halep has brought her stunning playing career to an end, with the Romanian retiring after her exit at the Transylvania Open.

Halep hinted towards retirement earlier this month, citing a serious knee injury that she has been struggling to recover from.

Two-time Grand Slam champion Halep received an Australian Open wildcard last month, but withdrew shortly after due to injury.

Halep won the French Open in 2018 and Wimbledon in 2019, with the triumphs coming after three Grand Slam final defeats.

She reached number one in the WTA rankings, but has now decided to call time on her career after a first round defeat in her home tournament.

Billie Jean King and Paula Badosa wish Simona Halep well after retirement announcement

Halep lost 6-1, 6-1 to Lucia Bronzetti in the round of 32, having also lost her opening doubles match with fellow Romanian Ana Bogdan.

The messages of support have now arrived for the 33-year-old following her decision, with legendary figure Billie Jean King writing on X: “2x Grand Slam champion and former World No. 1 Simona Halep is retiring from tennis.

READ MORE: Two-time Grand Slam champion announces comeback to tennis after 15-month break

“Simona is an incredible athlete, and has won more WTA titles (24) than any woman Romanian tennis player in history. Best of luck in the next steps of your journey, Simona.”

WTA number 10 Paula Badosa meanwhile has also taken to social media with a message, writing on her Instagram story: “Simona, wish you all the best in your new chapter! You were a big inspiration for me. Your tennis and fight would be missed. Happy life champion.”

Simona Halep WTA Tour title list as 33-year-old retires from tennis

Halep, who has slipped all the way down to 870th in the rankings amid a lack of action, will perhaps be disappointed to have suffered an early exit on home soil.

Italian Bronzetti needed less than an hour to secure the win, although her opponent perhaps hasn’t been playing as much tennis as she would have liked in recent times.

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The former world number one missed 19 months due to a doping suspension before returning in March last year.

October’s Hong Kong Open represented her most recent competitive match before the Transylvania Open, while she took on the World Tennis League exhibition in Abu Dhabi in December.

Halep retires with 24 WTA titles to her name, having spent 64 weeks as number one and 373 consecutive weeks in the top 10.