SINGAPORE — With nemesis Serena Williams cutting short her season to nurse her injuries, Simona Halep is relishing her time in the spotlight at next week’s BNP Paribas WTA ­Finals in Singapore.

Describing herself as “not disappointed” at the absence of the women’s world No 1 player at the prestigious year-ender tournament, Halep said this is the chance for the rest of the field to have a crack at the title.

“I am not disappointed that she is not here, but I feel sorry for her if she is injured or something,” said the Romanian world No. 2 of Williams, against whom she has a 1-6 win-loss record.

“It is not easy to fight against Serena all the time. I did a few times this year, last year, so it is good. I feel good. Serena is not playing (here), and the tournament is open in my opinion. (Garbine) Muguruza is playing well and (Agnieszka) Radwanska started to play again well. So we will see. It is going to be a tough tournament,” added Halep, who was speaking on the sidelines of a meet-and-greet session with fans at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

“If I play my best, I have a chance to win the title. I am trying to practise well, and I am working hard, so we will see what happens.”

Few can forget last year’s edition in Singapore, when Williams was swept aside by Halep, who routed her 6-0, 6-2 in their round-robin encounter to hand the then 18-time Grand Slam champion her worst ­defeat in 16 years. While the American did avenge that loss by beating Halep in the final and going on to win her third consecutive title in the prestigious tournament, the 24-year-old ­Romanian showed the world that she can be a top competitor when she brings her “A” game.

This year, Halep has tied Williams, 34, for the most number of ­titles on hardcourt with three (Shenzhen, Dubai and Indian Wells).

While she said she is “honoured” to be billed as WTA’s next hardcourt queen, what really matters to her is to top the podium in Singapore come the final on Nov 1.

“It is going to mean a big thing for me (to win the WTA Finals title this year), because it is an important tournament,” she said.

“Always, we play for titles. The ranking doesn’t matter, the title is more important. For my country, it is going to be a big thing too, because it is a small country, and we don’t have many tennis players. So if it happens, I will be very happy. But I just want to play, relax, to enjoy the tennis, and to be focused on what I have to do. I have to just go on court and give my best.”