Is Simona Halep dating Radu Barbu and how did Wimbledon champion meet him?
The Romanian world number one has largely kept her relationship a secret - but the pair blew their cover after being spotted holidaying in Portofino in Italy
SIMONA HALEP has followed up her trophy-laden 2018 with a first ever Wimbledon title.
The 27-year-old Romanian blasted Serena Williams off the court with a crushing 6-2, 6-2 win in the final.
Who is Simona Halep's rumoured boyfriend, Radu Barbu?
Radu Barbu was born on October 16, 1983 - meaning he is 35.
The Romanian was tennis player himself in his younger years, but only managed to reach a career-high rank of 1151 in 2004.
With his playing career seemingly amounting to nothing Pitesti-born Barbu headed to Texas Christian University in the States to become a coach.
He is now helping to run the young tennis development program in Romania.
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How did the couple meet?
Barbu and Halep met through friends, with both holding tennis and Romanian connections.
Among their former mutual friends was Halep's old coach Andrei Mlendea.
The pair have never announced their relationship in public, even telling his friends that there was nothing romantic going on between him and the 27-year-old world number one.
However, Halep and Barbu have been spotted together in Italy on a romantic holiday.
