Simona Halep: US Open success would be 'bonus' after Wimbledon triumph

The Romanian has already got one grand slam title to her name in 2019

Simona Halep is in good spirits ahead of the US Open, which begins on August 26. AFP

A relaxed Simona Halep claimed success at the US Open would be a bonus after declaring her Wimbledon win was 'job done' for her in 2019.

Romanian Halep claimed her second grand slam title when she triumphed against Serena Williams in last month's final at the All England Club.

Halep's US Open record makes pretty grim reading - she has been knocked out in the first round in the last two years - but her dream run at Wimbledon has more than made up for her Flushing Meadows nightmares.

"It can't be worse than last year and the last two years, actually, to lose in the first round," said Halep, who also won the 2018 French Open.

"Now I'm feeling really, really good. I'm feeling healthy. I'm feeling fresh to start the new tournament. The pressure is on a little bit, but I'm not thinking about the result at all.

"I did my job this year, let's say, and now I just have expectations from myself, how good I can be on court, and just, like, feeling good, feeling happy, feeling relaxed.

"I didn't say I don't want more. I said that the pressure of doing something special, it's off. Now what comes, comes as a bonus.

"So I'm still working, I'm still motivated to win titles. Now I started to feel more and more that I'm capable to do that, winning in Wimbledon, so my confidence is very high but doesn't mean that this week I'm going to be the same.

Simona Halep kisses the trophy as she celebrates after winning the Wimbledon women's final against Serena Williams on Saturday. Reuters

Simona Halep on her way to a 6-2, 6-2 victory over seven-time Wimbledon champion Serena Williams on Centre Court on Saturday. Reuters

Simona Halep became the first Romanian to win a Wimbledon final with victory over Serena Williams on Centre Court. EPA

Simona Halep returns a shot to Serena Williams. EPA

Simona Halep celebrates with the trophy. EPA

Simona Halep returns a shot to Serena Williams. EPA

Simona Halep of Romania celebrates with the trophy on Centre Court after beating Serena Williams of the USA. EPA

Simona Halep took just 56 minutes to beat 23-time grand slam champion Serena Williams in the 2019 Wimbledon final. Reuters

Reuters

Simona Halep looks on as she returns a shot to Serena Williams. Getty Images

Simona Halep returns a shot to Serena Williams. EPA

Simona Halep, left, and Serena Williams pose with their trophies after their match. EPA

Serena Williams returns a shot to Simona Halep. The American fell short of winning a record-equalling 24th grand slam title. Getty Images

Simona Halep serves to Serena Williams. EPA

Simona Halep returns a shot. EPA

Simona Halep and Serena Williams embrace at the end of their match. EPA

Serena Williams looks down on her trophy. Reuters

Romania's Simona Halep in action during the final against Serena Williams of the USA. Reuters

Simona Halep poses with the Venus Rosewater dish after beating Serena Williams in the Wimbleon final. Getty Images

Simona Halep of Romania celebrates her victory over Serena Williams of the US in the women's final of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London. EPA

"I feel like I have the right game, I have the right physical condition to win a tournament, and to win a grand slam as I did already two times."

By contrast, top seed and defending US Open champion Naomi Osaka flopped at Wimbledon, tumbling out in the first round.

The world number one from Japan has struggled since winning her second grand slam title at the Australian Open in January.

However, she said: "I'm not sure if it's because the last couple of months have been kind of turbulent, but definitely I feel really comfortable.

"I know that, despite everything, I play well here every year. So I'm not too worried about that."