Sabalenka attributes her defeat to an injury and worries for Roland Garros

Streaming ATP Rome live tennis

🎾 Lorenzo Musetti vs Francisco Cerundolo

1. Sign up with Bet365 here
2. Make your first deposit of at least €5
3. Go to the “Live” section and watch every match

Watch the match on Bet365

 PUBLICIDAD

Register at bet365, deposit €5 or more into your account and you will receive 100% of your eligible deposit in Bet Credits (up to €100). New customers only. Terms apply. Winnings do not include the value of Bet Credits. Maximum prizes, game restrictions, time limits and terms apply. Registration required.

Aryna Sabalenka leaves the WTA 1000 Rome 2026 very emotionally affected, but even more so mentally. Her defeat against Sorana Cirstea not only generates mistrust in the Belarusian, but also a sense of unease looking ahead to Roland Garros 2026 due to the physical issues that have been affecting her game, as she herself confessed in the press conference.

Losing is never pleasant for a competitor of Aryna Sabalenka's level, but doing so with severe physical discomfort just a few weeks before the start of Roland Garros 2026 is even more painful and unsettling. During her press conference, the world number 1 was quite concise in her statements but made it clear both her admiration for Sorana Cirstea and the fact that her suffered problems diminished her performance in the WTA 1000 Rome 2026.

This is what Sabalenka said after losing in Rome to Cirstea

"I feel like I haven't played well since the beginning of the match. Despite starting well, I quickly realized that my body wouldn't allow me to compete as I wished. I try to tell myself that you never lose, only learn," stated Sabalenka, who had very affectionate words towards her opponent, who has announced her retirement at the end of the season. At 36, Sorana Cirstea seems to be performing at the peak of her career.

In fact, acknowledging physical issues was not contrary to giving full credit for the victory to the Romanian. "I'm very sad that she's retiring this year because she's a true fighter and I feel she could stay at the top level longer. Today she played an amazing tennis and didn't give me any chances," Aryna asserted about her opponent, before addressing the tricky issue of her physical problems, for which she was attended to on the court.

"The issue is in the lumbar area, connected to the hip, which limits the complete rotation movement. I guess I'll have to rest for a few days. For now, there's no other plan than that," she said when asked if these discomforts could raise concerns looking ahead to Roland Garros 2026. It's clear that Aryna Sabalenka will arrive in Paris with mistrust and a lack of competitive rhythm, as well as doubts about her physical condition.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Sabalenka achaca su derrota a una lesión y preocupa de cara a Roland Garros