Simona Halep, the former WTA world No. 1, experienced a delightful surprise during her recent stay in Chișinău, Moldova. The tennis star, who retired from professional tennis over a year ago, was warmly welcomed by the local hotel staff, who provided her with a thoughtful surprise. She shared her experience on social media, delighting her fans.

Special Welcoming Details

Halep's stay was highlighted by an array of thoughtful touches. Upon arrival, she was greeted with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, a tray of fresh cherries and strawberries, and a local chocolate box. A special message was placed on her bed, a quote Halep often shares: "Everything happens more in the head than in the racket. The difference isn’t in tennis, it’s in the head, in the desire."

The hotel staff also went the extra mile with personalized touches on her bed, including tennis ball-shaped pillows in green. Halep was accommodated at the Ibis Styles Chișinău, a modern and sports-themed hotel located near the new National Tennis Center. The cost of a night at the hotel ranges between 250 and 350 lei.

Tennis Events in Chișinău

Halep is scheduled to play a demonstration match as part of the opening ceremony of the new National Tennis Center on May 23, 2026. She will be joined by Juan Martin del Potro, and they will face local Moldovan players Raud Albot and Lia Belibova in a doubles exhibition match.

The new tennis complex will also host the ATP Challenger 100 “Moldova Open” from May 24 to May 31. The tournament has a total prize fund of 160,680 euros. Among the notable players expected to participate are Roman Safiullin and Pedro Martinez, both former top 40 ATP players. Other top 100 players who have announced their presence include Dalibor Svrcina, Borna Gojo, Hugo Dellien, and Luca Nardi.

The main seed for the tournament is Francesco Maestrelli, currently ranked 112 in the ATP.

“I loved her. I saw all her finals, all her important matches. I liked how she played, her style. She’s a player with great perspective, she was the world leader. And now to play against her will be something special,” said Lia Belibova, as quoted by Moldova1.md.

Halep’s visit and the upcoming events signal a new era for tennis in Moldova, showcasing the country’s commitment to hosting high-level international tournaments.