For Simona Halep, 2018 will forever be the most important year in her career, as the 26-year-old Romanian finally achieved her first grand slam title by winning the French Open. After she fought back to beat Sloane Stephens in the final, applause and cheers reverberated throughout the Stade Roland Garros, where over 20,000 people witnessed the Romanian embrace the defining moment of her professional career.

Since that special moment in Paris, the journey has been tough for the world number one, both physically and mentally, as she became the first top-seeded woman to lose in the first round of the US Open. But the Romanian accepted it without much anxiety as she said it was normal because it would be hard to maintain the high level after winning a Grand Slam title.

The road to the first Grand Slam was especially difficult for Halep, having lost in three previous finals.

"It will be not easy to be confident, you never know when you go to a Grand Slam whether you can win it or not," she said.

Rather than worrying, the world number one chose to keep believing in herself. Despite the third final defeat, the 26-year-old still kept working and believing till it could happen.

For the Romanian, it was quite amazing to win a grand slam and she is determined to try hard every day for a second one.

Pressure is the other thing that accompanies glory, and Halep has chosen to face it in a positive way. In addition, the presence of her family and friends along with many supportive Romanian fans at the French Open final, also gave her enough strength to finally accomplish her dream.

Halep says she has enjoyed life on the WTA tour with a good team and friends who come to see her sometimes. She is looking to get better and be even more motivated to achieve further success