As a rising teenage tennis star, Simona Halep was better known for her bra size than her skills with a racket.

She was so uncomfortable she couldn’t play properly.

In 2009, at the age of 17, the Romanian opted to undergo a breast reduction, taking her from a 34DD to a 34C.

Before long she rocketed up the world rankings and is now really hitting her stride, climbing to No. 4 in the world.

“My ability to react quickly was worse and my breasts made me uncomfortable,” Halep said.

“It’s the weight that troubles me. My ability to react quickly, my breasts make me uncomfortable when I play,” Halep said at the time of her operation.

“I didn’t like them in my everyday life, either. I would have gone for surgery even if I hadn’t been a sportswoman.”

Tonight, the 22-year-old Halep takes on Spain’s Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor in the French Open third round as she continues her push towards a breakthrough grand slam crown.

Halep’s coach Wim Fissette, a Belgian who has worked with former world No. 1 Kim Clijsters, said the Romanian was “one of the smartest players” on the tour.

Speaking of Halep’s breast reduction surgery, Fissette said: “I did not know her then, but I have seen some photos.

“She took that decision and it was a good one. I understand that it’s what a lot of people know her for. In the Belgian newspapers it is the same thing.

“But let’s hope she will win a grand slam and then they will start talking about that instead.”

This article originally appeared on News.com.au.