Sorana Cirstea responds to Aryna Sabalenka’s suggestion she shouldn’t retire after Rome win

Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP via Getty Images

Sorana Cirstea has some thinking to do after getting the better of Aryna Sabalenka at the Italian Open.

Cirstea, who has been part of the WTA Tour since 2006, announced in December that 2026 would be her last year on tour.

Back in July, she was ranked outside the top 160. Now, after picking up her fourth WTA title and defeating Sabalenka, she’s nearing a top-20 debut at age 36.

After joking about a possible comeback following her win over Sabalenka, Cirstea has now addressed comments from Sabalenka suggesting she should seriously think about it.

Sorana Cirstea shares her thoughts on not retiring

Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

After the match, Sabalenka told reporters that she thought Cirstea should stick around a bit longer.

When those remarks were put to her during her own media duties, Cirstea didn’t rule out the idea, saying there’s always a chance.

“Yeah, of course this is the question that I’m getting every week (smiling),” said Cirstea. “At the moment not much is changing. Of course, it’s a wonderful victory, but it’s still a third round. I have to keep going.

“I know the level is there. I know my mind is here and I’m enjoying everything. Like I said, I have so many goals. Every time I step on the court I want to improve.

“In the same time my mind is quite set that at the end of the year, I want to retire. We will see how this year will go.

“Like a little door is there always open because you never know how things go in life. You always plan things, but then it doesn’t always happen like you plan. We will see what life has to offer for me.”

Sorana Cirstea vs Linda Noskova head-to-head