Aryna Sabalenka departs IMG for Naomi Osaka's EVOLVE agency: "A multi-faceted icon with limitless potential"

Happy birthday to my biggest inspiration, the person that always taught me to remain brave, stay ambitious and stay strong. @Simona_Halep ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Q70Pd4pDns
— Antonia #22🏆 (@smashingaces13) September 27, 2017

Happy Birthday @Simona_Halep! Who remembers this great shot from the 2016 #FedCup first round? pic.twitter.com/gA1mQtpDns
— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) September 27, 2017

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...along with a birthday cake and flowers.

The Romanian may not have a Grand Slam title or a No. 1 ranking (yet), but she can't be upset with what has been, arguably, her best season ever.

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"I think this year was the best year I've ever had" @Simona_Halep looking to take consistency into @WTAFinalsSG pic.twitter.com/4uE6nPeJcv
— wta (@WTA) September 27, 2017

The world No. 2 defended her Madrid crown this season and has been a consistent contender in many of the big tournaments including a final appearance at the French Open.

In Paris, she lost a set and a break lead to 20-year-old Jelena Ostapenko. The Romanian admitted earlier this week, “I had it [the defeat] in my mind for a while, and it was like killing me every day. But now I look at it in a positive way.”

Halep found consolation when Hall-of-Fame legend Kim Clijsters related her early-career struggles to get over the hump. Clijsters lost her first four major finals from 2001-04, but would end up winning four in her career.

Kim Clijsters to Simona Halep, Madison Keys: "It took me four finals to win” | https://t.co/WpmQNJ7q5R pic.twitter.com/M9a1SpEEDb
— TENNIS (@Tennis) September 28, 2017

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Halep is focused only on improving and seeing if she can reach the top of the rankings before the year ends. This week she fell in the first round at Wuhan, leaving Garbine Muguruza and Karolina Pliskova battling for the top spot.

„Of course, if I want to be the No.1, I need to win tournaments. However, my wish is to get the No.1 ranking with my result in Singapore.”
— Antonia #22🏆 (@smashingaces13) September 24, 2017

Both Muguruza and Pliskova lost in the quarterfinals, but the world No. 1-ranked Muguruza is now 600 points ahead of Halep. All three should appear in the WTA Premier draw in Beijing next week, and all three have also qualified for the WTA Finals in Singapore. It will be a dramatic race to the finish.