Gaël Monfils and Andrei Pavel, invited to the event dedicated to Simona Halep
Gaël Monfils, one of the most spectacular players in world tennis, and Andrei Pavel will join Simona Halep at the official event dedicated to her career, scheduled for June 13, 2026, as part of the seventh edition of Sports Festival. The two complete the list of already announced guests, which also includes Elina Svitolina. The event will bring back on court some of the athletes who have directly or indirectly shaped Simona Halep’s journey on the professional circuit.
The atmosphere of the evening will be led by Andrew Krasny, one of the most recognizable voices in world tennis, already confirmed as the event host, alongside Andi Moisescu, one of the most well-known figures in Romanian television. In addition, Darren Cahill, Simona Halep’s former coach and one of the most respected coaches in world tennis, has previously confirmed his presence in Cluj as a special guest, marking the end of an exceptional career.
Gaël Monfils is one of the most spectacular players of his generation. A former world No. 6, the Frenchman has won 13 ATP titles and reached two Grand Slam semifinals, being widely recognized for his athletic style and the energy he brings to the court. With a career spanning more than two decades on the professional circuit, Monfils is in his final season, set to retire at the end of 2026. Until then, he continues to compete and deliver spectacular moments to audiences around the world.
Andrei Pavel, one of the key figures in Romanian tennis, completes the list of guests at the event dedicated to Simona Halep’s retirement. A former top 20 player and winner of three ATP singles titles, Pavel is recognized both for his career on tour and for his contribution as a coach and leader of Romania’s Davis Cup team. Over the years, he has remained close to the newer generations of Romanian players and has played an active role in supporting high-level performance, being a respected presence in international tennis. Simona Halep worked with Andrei Pavel between 2017 and 2018, when he was part of her team as assistant coach, alongside head coach Darren Cahill, during an important stage of her career.
About Sports Festival
The seventh edition of Sports Festival will take place between June 11–14, 2026, and, as every year, will bring dozens of sports activities, competitions, demonstrations, international guests, inspirational talks, and free access to most activities. Following a 2025 edition that gathered over 150,000 participants and featured a gala match headlined by Ronaldinho, the festival in Cluj-Napoca continues to confirm its status as a landmark European event for grassroots sport and the passion for movement.
