Simona Halep leads Romania's strong presence on grass courts this season

The grass court season has officially kicked off, and Romania is well represented with talented players making their mark. Simona Halep, who has previously triumphed at Wimbledon in 2019, is among the notable figures this year, showcasing her skills alongside fellow Romanians Jaqueline Cristian, Sorana Cîrstea, and Gabriela Ruse.

In 2026, the grass season spans five weeks, with two weeks dedicated to the prestigious Wimbledon tournament, set to take place from June 29 to July 13. While the women's events are being held in Great Britain, the Netherlands, and Germany, the men's tournaments take place in a similar geographic spread, including venues such as Stuttgart, Halle, and Mallorca.

Halep's coach, Daniel Dobre, emphasizes the importance of adapting to grass courts, noting that the slice serve is more crucial than the kick serve on this surface. Players must be agile, as the ball behaves differently on grass, requiring quick intuition and mobility.

Halep is not alone in her accomplishments; Ruxandra Dragomir also boasts a significant history on grass, having won at Rosmalen in 1997 and reaching another final in 2000. Together, they represent the two Romanian women who have secured titles on grass at the WTA level.

Gabriela Ruse, the last Romanian to reach a final on grass, faced Elise Mertens in a hard-fought match last year. Meanwhile, the current season sees a promising transition as three Romanian players step up to the challenge of competing on grass, hoping to add to the nation's rich tennis legacy.