Australian Open: Made in China: Simona Halep is without equipment supplier in Melbourne

Simona Halep starts into her first Grand Slam Tournament as the world’s number one without new equipment suppliers. Instead, she has said a word herself on the question of clothing.

For Simona Halep, the Australian Open will not start until Tuesday, and luck has changed for the number 1 in the world. Halep starts against young Australian Destanee Aiava, then Eugenie Bouchard could wait, who despite the shape crisis likes the big stage. In round three Petra Kvitova would be a tough one, but in the round of sixteen Elena Vesnina, Ashleigh Barty or the formidable Camila Giorgi could face unpleasant tasks.

So Halep has to dress warmly despite Australian heat – but the question is: What with? Their contract with Adidas expired at the end of 2017, and the demands for a contract adjustment at Camp Halep were unsuccessful, despite Ion Tiriac at the desk. Halep is said to be in good talks with Lacoste and Nike, but at the start in Melbourne she will not get around the corner with one of the two outfitters.

Of course, one should think that there are still one or two clothes from the last years in the wardrobe of the Romanian, but Halep has other plans for the time being. They ordered through a website in China,”and within 24 hours I had an outfit,” she revealed before the tournament started. But I was quite stressed.” They didn’t design anything themselves.”It’s unicoloured, nothing special. But it looks good, I think.”Halep was asked whether she would have thought of a shirt with the inscription” No. 1 “.” No,”Halep continued. I’m not like that,”she replied.

What exactly will Halep wear? On Tuesday we know more, their first match is scheduled as the third match of the Day Session at Rod Laver Arena.