'Happy' Halep feeling less pressure at French Open

Reigning champion Simona Halep on Friday said that the pressure was off ahead of the start of her French Open title defence after ending her long wait for a Grand Slam trophy 12 months ago.

The Romanian beat Sloane Stephens in Paris last year to clinch her maiden major crown in her fourth final, and is the third seed for the 2019 edition which starts at Roland Garros on Sunday.

"(It's) much better and much easier, because I have the title already," said Halep, who is the bookmakers' favourite to win a second straight title.

"(It) doesn't matter anymore what is going to happen. Everything (that) comes now comes as a bonus. So I will try just to give my best and to see if I'm able to do it again."
"I will try to do the things (I did) as a kid, enjoying the time. I wanted this badly, and I wanted (it) so much that now having it, I just want to be happy and to smile."
"I have confidence. I don't count Rome this year. We leave it back. Coming here, practising, I felt really well."