Romania's top tennis player, Simona Halep, inaugurated the National Tennis Center in Chisinau on Saturday together with former Argentine star Juan Martín del Potro, in an event that also featured an exhibition match, Moldova1 reported.
'It is an honour and a joy to be here at this wonderful center. It is an impressive project. What can I say? I'm happy for these children who are starting tennis today,' Simona Halep said.
The event also marked the official opening of the new clay courts, followed by the much-anticipated exhibition match on the main court. Radu Albot, the best tennis player in Moldova's history, teamed up with Halep to defeat the pair of Juan Martín del Potro and talented young player Lia Belibova, 6-4, 2-6, 10-7.
At one point, Del Potro complained of fatigue and ceded his spot for one game to Moldova's Prime Minister, Alexandru Munteanu, who had earlier cut the ribbon of the new sports complex.
'It is amazing for the kids. More and more will come to play. Not many countries have such good conditions. I wish them success and I am honoured to be here,' Del Potro said.
'Of course I never imagined this. It is something extraordinary for tennis in our country. It is incredible to have such infrastructure. Look at these courts, this atmosphere,' Radu Albot added.
'I am glad our young people will have access to sports activities. For me, tennis brings great joy. My whole family plays, and we are very happy when we meet our children to play together. I encourage all of you, whatever sport you choose, to stay active,' Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu said.
Simona Halep, a former world No. 1, has two Grand Slam titles - Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Her official retirement match will take place on June 13 in Cluj-Napoca during the Sports Festival.
Juan Martín del Potro won the US Open in 2009 and reached the Roland Garros semifinals in 2009 and 2018, as well as the Wimbledon semifinals in 2013, before retiring in 2022 due to injuries. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Mihai Tenea; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)
