Halep "more confident for what's coming up" despite inconsistent 2019

Simona Halep says she's satisfied with her season, which saw her win her second Grand Slam title at Wimbledon. Though winning her favorite event was a career highlight, Halep won no other titles and did not get beyond the quarterfinals of any of the other Grand Slam events.

The 28-year-old had spoken frequently of wanting to take the pressure off herself following a successful but tiring 2018 that was highlighted by winning the French Open.

"I'm not disappointed with myself and with the year. I put it next to 2018," she told press at the WTA Finals Shenzhen, though adding that she had also learned for next season. "That I have to be more consistent for the practice and for the work. This year I was kind of up and down a little bit too much.

"Maybe because I have six years in the top, and I didn't have a bigger break than three weeks. I can say I feel it mentally and also physically."

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This lack of consistency appears to have been partly due to a lack of consistency in her team, with coach Darren Cahill leaving before the start of the season and Halep initially having problems settling on a new coach. But Cahill has now returned, working with Halep at the WTA Finals, and will coach her next season.

Halep had one win and two defeats in round robin play in Shenzhen, but came into the event having had back problems.

"I'm falling in pieces. Everywhere I have something. It's normal. I've been injured in Asia," she said.

But while she's eager for the off-season break, Halep is also pumped for getting back on court with her re-established team, saying, "I feel more confident for what's coming up. I am motivated."

Halep has also reached three other Grand Slam finals during her career.