Romanian tennis star Sorana Cirstea is making the most of her final season on the court, delivering a remarkable performance at the Italian Open that has captivated fans and pundits alike.
At 36 years old, Cirstea announced that 2026 will be her last year as a professional player, but she is far from winding down. On Tuesday, she defeated Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko 6-1, 7-6 (7-0) to secure her first-ever spot in the Rome semi-finals.
This impressive run has propelled Cirstea into the top ten of the WTA’s annual seasonal rankings, positioning her as one of the most in-form players heading into the French Open later this month.
“I’ve always believed that ambition and dreams don’t have an expiration date,” Cirstea said after the match. “I think everyone can see how much I love this sport. The passion is still there. Playing here and reaching the semi-finals in Rome feels absolutely incredible.”
When Cirstea announced her retirement plans after a 20-year career, even she likely didn’t imagine this kind of farewell. The decision to retire has freed her from pressure, allowing her to play with renewed energy and confidence.
This mindset has produced some of the best results of her career, especially on clay, where she has won 10 of her 12 matches this season. Earlier this week, she became the oldest player to defeat a world number one after beating Aryna Sabalenka in the third round.
If Cirstea manages to beat either Coco Gauff or Mirra Andreeva in the semi-finals, she will break another major barrier: cracking the world’s top 20 for the first time. Despite a solid career that includes four WTA titles and two Grand Slam quarter-finals, her highest ranking has been 21st, which she achieved in 2013.
Her recent success has led many to wonder if she might reconsider her retirement decision. Cirstea remains firm, though with a playful caveat.
“Maybe if I win the tournament, I’ll think about it,” she laughed.
