World number three Simona Halep has said that it is hard to think of being the world number one as long as American tennis ace Serena Williams is at the top of the rankings, but believes that she has that confidence to win more titles and eventually bag a Grand Slam.
The Romanian arrived in Florida for this week's Miami Open following the biggest success in her career with a victory over Jelena Jankovic in the final of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells on Sunday.
The win was the third of the year for the 23-year-old following victories at Shenzhen and Dubai and while she is firmly fixed as number three, behind Williams and Maria Sharapova, she says getting to top spot may be a step too far, Sport24 reported.
Halep said that when Serena is number one, its hard to think of being number one, but added that she still has confidence that she can win more titles and reach a higher ranking.
The Williams sisters, who live in nearby Palm Beach Garden, have dominated the Miami Open and have won the event 10 times, with Serena lifting the title on seven occasions and Venus on three.
Still, Halep, who has never ventured past the third round in Miami, doesn't believe that Williams is unbeatable.
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Halep said that Serena is very strong, adding that she is a great champion and has been up there for many years. She said that the American knows how to manage every situation, adding that she admires her a lot and learnt many things from her.
Halep insisted that she really wants to meet Serena many times, because she becomes stronger after she plays the world number one.
Halep has her eyes on becoming the first Romanian woman since her manager, Virginia Ruzici, French Open winner in 1978, to secure a grand slam title.
The world number three said that she could say that she feels ready because she just won a premier tournament which is almost like a Grand Slam, but added that she still is very far and just wants to be very focused.