Romanian tennis player Simona Halep, the world's no. three, told the WTA website that the Fed Cup is just as important to her as a Grand Slam tournament after she has managed to qualify with Romania's team for the semifinals of the competition.
"I still feel the emotions, it was extraordinary. We are for the first time in the semifinals, and that means a lot," Halep told a press conference held in Doha, after Romania's victory over the Czech Republic, 3-2 in Ostrava last weekend.
Halep also commented on her reaction immediately after the point that brought Romania's victory to Ostrava when she jumped over a parapet to embrace Irina Begu: "The girls and the captain showed me the clip. It was funny. After that, I thought how we lived the moment, it was not easy, but I did everything natural and I am happy that the girls [Irina Begu and Monica Niculescu, at doubles] managed to win this very difficult match."
"We are a small country, we do not have a great tennis system and this result will help the new generation. It will help children be inspired to do something with their lives, believe that dreams can become reality one day," added Halep.