Serena won and Simona lost, but this game is so much more than this result. In short it’s all a psychological thriller with some touches of physical endurance and skill, and Simona seems to have given up (video highlights: 4 min, 10 min, 34 min).

I’m not a tennis “fan”. I seldom watch sports on TV (or YouTube) and when I do, it’s usually not tennis. But I watched Simona Halep’s exploits because her meteoric rise is so extraordinary and, as I learn more about the sport, I can’t help being amazed.

How meteoric? Apparently, according to the Romanian Tennis Federation president, she was the most controlled tennis star in 2014 (rng-doping). She now has what I hope is a very lucrative contract with Adidas – watch her alone, in Take Today, or together with Jeremy Lin and Gareth Bale in Uncontrol Yourself.

It’s tough separating fact from fiction, but here on this blog is what we often try to do.

One thing I have not talked about in my previous article on Indian Wells has to do with Serena Williams and racism. Back in 2001, Serena was supposed to play her sister, Venus, who instead forfeited the game. This came following pre-existing speculation that their father decided which daughter wins, causing spectators to react angrily, booing Serena. (Only two years before, in 1999, Serena played at the same Indian Wells against Stefi Graaf, the same Stefi who won against Jana Novotna and made her cry.) Following the booing (and, most of all, hearing the word “nigger”), the Williams sister boycotted Indian Wells. That’s why her Pre-Tournament press conference, her first game with Monica Niculescu, and her retiring before the game with Simona are perhaps more important events than they appear to be. There was also an incident with Caroline Wozniacki who wore some fake boobs and bum which may have been interpreted as racist by Serena. As for Simona, her cousin had committed suicide only a couple of weeks prior (twu-csn).

So what do I mean by “hang up”? Between them there seems to be an admiration and mutual respect that transgresses what is required or expected to save appearances. They both seem to give their best to the fight, but they also seem to care for one another. Serena has an older sister look when taking a peek at Simona, while Simona looks up (well, it’s also height) at Serena as one looks at an idol and involuntary / passive mentor. They both seem to consider each other a worthy opponent.

"I didn't expect that I would win that title, but I had confidence that I'd have my chance there," Halep said of winning at Indian Wells. "Here, I'm coming more relaxed now because I have a big title in my hands and I have a lot of confidence."

In all fairness, Serena is a formidable player. She’s a towering figure not just in terms of accomplishments but also physically, a monument of muscle, vision, power and precision. Her shots seem almost perfect and impossible and commentators overuse the word “lethal” when describing her:

there is the raw power, which on its own is typically enough to gain control of most points she plays. But when you combine it with the ultra-aggressive court position, the ball gets back to the opponent so fast that it robs them of the precious tenths of seconds to get their hands and feet prepared for the next shot. Reaction mode is usually all that can be accomplished. (wta-pred)

Underneath all these strengths there is, sadly, the side-effect of having been so different for so long and what seems to be an oversensitivity (sometimes motivated, see above) to what may be racism and hatred.

Kudos to the Romanian diaspora who is really helping Simona be her best. Just please, refrain from going too far and especially stay away from anything racist – I’m sure Simona would not want to win against Serena that way. And there will surely be more wins, everybody knows it and feels it, and everybody loves Simona!

Sources / More info: cnn-ser, nyt-ser, tn-after, rng-doping, w-ts, wta-ss, twu-csn, twu-sw, tnc-fierce, u2d-booed, mh-wow, eq-enf, lef-choc, twi-epica, efe-juga, wta-pred