Cirstea: "My idea is still to retire at the end of the year, but.."

Diego Jiménez Rubio | 9 May 2026 | 20.48

Sorana Cirstea speaks after defeating Sabalenka. Photo: gettyimages

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Sorana Cirstea pulled off one of the biggest surprises of the WTA 1000 in Rome 2026 by defeating Aryna Sabalenka, the world number one, in a match of remarkable level and even more symbolism due to the moment in her career. Having announced her retirement at the end of the season, the Romanian is showcasing her best tennis and discussed it in a press conference.

Life takes unpredictable paths. Against all odds, Sorana Cirstea has not only rediscovered her best form but also appears ready to push her limits. Beating Aryna Sabalenka at WTA 1000 Rome 2026 is a clear display of her level and could cast doubt on her decision to retire at the end of the year. After the victory, her speech conveyed a mix of pride, serenity, and reflection on all the experiences in a career marked by talent, doubts, and admirable longevity.

A Victory Built on Bravery

"I am very happy with the win, of course. I didn't know it was the first time I beat a world number one. I have achieved great victories in my career, but it's nice to see that all the hard work pays off. I am also very pleased with the level I am showing here in Rome."

"This year I had very close matches against the top players. Last week in Madrid, I was 6-4, 2-0 up against Coco. Also in Linz, against Mirra, I had many opportunities in the third set. Lately, I had played many matches against the top players where I fell a bit short. I felt that maybe I needed to be a bit braver or take more risks in crucial moments. I think I learned from those losses. Today, in the crucial points, I tried to play aggressively and play on my terms. Against the best, you can't just play safe. They won't hand you anything. You have to earn it. Today, I knew that if I wanted to beat Aryna, I had to deserve it."

Romanian Tennis Pride and an Unrepeatable Generation

"We are a country with a wonderful history in tennis. From Nastase and Tiriac to Virginia Ruzici, Andrei Pavel, or Simona Halep. Unfortunately, we don't have a system nor do we all come from the same place. I think we simply have a history and some slightly crazy parents who invest a lot in their children and want them to go very far in tennis."

"One of the good things is that in Romania, we watch tennis on television every day. All tournaments are broadcasted. You grow up watching tennis and dreaming of being there. My generation, Simona's, Begu's, and many other players who reached the top 100, was amazing. I think we pushed each other. I hope now other girls can follow in our footsteps and keep the Romanian tennis flag high."

Not Fixated on the Best Triumph of Her Career

"It's very difficult to say if this is the best victory of my career because I have had wonderful triumphs. I have always been a player who, on a good day, could beat anyone. What makes me happiest is not so much the victory itself but the way I played. I think in the second and third set, I showed a very high level. I followed the game plan perfectly and won on my terms. That's what makes me happiest."

The Maturity of the Final Stage of Her Career

"What makes me happiest this year is the consistency I have managed to show every week. And also the title I won at home, in Cluj. It was the best week of my life. Everything I experienced there I will always keep with me. The emotions and how they made me feel were incredible. I said that if I had to retire after Cluj, I would have been very happy."

"I think all athletes have regrets. It doesn't matter if you are number one or have won Grand Slams, you always think you could have done more. Perhaps I regret some things at the beginning of my career. I could have been more disciplined or done some things better. But in this final stage, I feel like I have truly given everything to tennis. I have worked hard, been disciplined, and done things right."

Retirement Still on the Horizon

"Of course, this is the question they ask me every week (smiles). For now, it doesn't change much. It's a wonderful victory, but it's still a third round, and I have to keep going. I know the level is there, I know mentally I am good, and I am enjoying everything. I have many goals, and every time I step on court, I want to improve."

"At the same time, my plan remains to retire at the end of the year. We'll see how the season goes. There is always a small door open because you never know how life goes. You can plan things, but they don't always happen as you expect. We'll see what life has in store for me," said the Romanian, after mentioning on the court that if she wins the tournament, she might reconsider things.

Sorana Cirstea after beating Aryna Sabalenka in Rome

“We know it’s your last year on tour... But is there something we can do to change your mind?”

Sorana: “Maybe if I win the tournament, I promise I’ll think about it”

😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/BsQbZ8yMjY
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 9, 2026

Sorana Cirstea's victory goes beyond the result. At 36 years old, in a stage where many players have already faded from the top level, the Romanian continues to find motivations and tennis to challenge the world's best. Her speech conveys the calm of someone who no longer needs to prove anything but still retains enough hunger to keep competing at the highest level. In Rome, at least for one night, she felt timeless.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Cirstea: "Mi idea sigue siendo retirarme a final de año, pero..."