In a candid revelation, Darren Cahill, the former coach of Simona Halep, has opened up about the intense emotional toll borne by the tennis star following her defeat in the 2017 French Open finals. Despite being one of the world’s top players for a considerable period, Halep was unable to secure her first Grand Slam victory, a situation that left her feeling ‘miserable’, according to Cahill.
The 2017 French Open was Halep’s second major final, returning to the same venue where she had narrowly lost to Maria Sharapova in an intense three-set final in 2014. The Romanian star seemed on the brink of achieving her lifelong dream of clinching a Grand Slam title during the 2017 final. She led with a set in hand and was ahead by a break in the second set, only to falter at the finish line as her opponent, Ostapenko, pulled off a stunning 4-6 6-4 6-3 comeback.
The former world No.1 was left devastated, a sentiment that her coach, Cahill, initially failed to comprehend. Cahill, an Australian coach, initially believed that maintaining a positive outlook would alleviate Halep’s distress. He admitted in a conversation with Caroline Garcia on the Tennis Insider Club that his inability to empathize with Halep’s situation was a mistake.
Cahill confessed: “I was suffering, but I wasn’t showing it. I was positive. And she wanted me to be miserable like she was. But it is true because misery loves misery in the tough moments. And all she wanted to see from me was that I was feeling as bad as she was.”
His approach changed drastically after one of Halep’s team members suggested that he should pivot his strategy. This was the turning point in their coach-student relationship, recalled Cahill. He confessed his earlier mistakes to Halep, admitting that he had not been empathetic enough. This emotional exchange, featuring shared tears and a long-awaited hug, marked a transformation in Cahill’s coaching style.
Although Halep subsequently lost the 2018 Australian Open final to Caroline Wozniacki, she eventually tasted Grand Slam victory twice, triumphing at the 2018 French Open and 2019 Wimbledon. However, in an unfortunate turn of events, Halep, at the age of 33, had to retire from tennis last month due to a severe knee injury. Her journey serves as an inspiring tale of resilience and determination, shedding light on the emotional struggles that often accompany professional sports.