The sport of tennis is losing another familiar face. As Romanian Sorana Cîrstea announced on social media over the weekend, the 2026 season will be her last on the tour.
“I love tennis… I love the discipline, the routines, the hard work. The competition and the adrenaline fuel my soul. But like everything in life, it must come to an end,” wrote Cîrstea, currently ranked 43rd in the world.
The Romanian continued: “Next year will be my 20th on the tour as a professional tennis player. I never expected to compete for so long, but the last few years have been my happiest on the court and have kept me going.”
But now, says the 35-year-old, it is time to draw a line in the sand. “I have decided that 2026 will be my last year on the tour,” she announced her retirement.
Tennis star still has “goals and ambitions”
It is not easy for her to give up something that she loves as much as tennis. “But at the moment it’s not a farewell, but a ‘see you one last time’. There are still many things I want to improve, I have goals and ambitions and hope that I can achieve some of them and end my career on a high,” said the Romanian, saying she wanted to attack again in the last year of her career.
“This sport has allowed a 4-year-old girl, who picked up a racket for the first time, to live her dream. A beautiful dream that was worth all the sacrifices. I look forward to seeing my fans, friends and loved ones on the court for my last dance. Thank you, tennis, I am forever in your debt,” Sorana Cîrstea concluded her touching farewell message.
