WATCH: Federer comments on Halep being No. 1

Oct 30, 2017
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WATCH: Federer comments on Halep being No. 1

The Swiss shared his thoughts on the unusual ending to the year-e

Published Oct 30, 2017

Who is the most deserving No. 1 on the WTA tour? Throughout 2017, the top ranking was held by five different players: Serena Williams, Angelique Kerber, Karolina Pliskova, Garbine Muguruza and Simona Halep. Four different players won majors, and only Muguruza accomplished both feats in the same year.

For the most consistent performance throughout the year, look no further than Halep. The Romanian finally reached No. 1 on October 9 and has become the 13th player in history to finish the year with the No. 1 ranking.

But after a lopsided 6-0, 6-2 loss to eventual champion Caroline Wozniacki in Singapore, it stirred up a debate on what it means to be a deserving No. 1.

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The debate vanquisher came from an unexpected source: Roger Federer. The 36-year-old held the No. 1 ranking for a record 302 weeks, and sits at No. 2 after winning his eighth career Basel title. He backed Halep up wholeheartedly:

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"Not for a second should you ever take away anything from Halep, who's worked their life to achieve a life-goal dream. It's not only about Grand Slams," Federer said. "She's played a full season. She's tough, fit, playing all the time, she practices hard, she's committed and that also should be rewarded."

Halep was quick to respond to the supportive words.

"I felt really proud of myself that Roger Federer could talk about me like that, I thank him for the nice words," Halep said. "He is one of my (role) models."

Pliskova, who held the No. 1 spot briefly earlier this year, agreed with Federer.

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Halep, like anyone on the tour, went through her highs and lows. She reached the Rome final and defended her Madrid crown before looking ready to win her first major at the French Open.

Instead, Halep suffered a disappointing final loss to 20-year-old Jelena Ostapenko. Halep then seemed poised to grab the No. 1 ranking in Cincinnati, but got blown off of the court by Pliskova in the final. She reached one more final (in Beijing) before finishing 1-2 at the WTA Finals.

Still, Halep ends as the year-end No. 1, and like Federer says, nothing can take that away.