Tennis star Sorana Cirstea loses match — immediately retires from sport
New York Post • • sports
Key Points:
- Sorana Cirstea, ranked world No.15 and in the best form of her career, has announced her retirement from professional tennis, with the Hong Kong Tennis Open marking her final tournament.
- The Romanian player was defeated 6-2, 6-3 by Russia’s Alexandra Shubladze in a surprising upset, ending her career on an unexpected note.
- Cirstea has achieved significant milestones this season, including becoming the third woman aged 36 or older to finish a season ranked inside the world’s top 16 in the last 40 years and recording a historic win over then-World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka.
- Despite pleas from fans and the tennis community to continue, Cirstea remains firm on her decision to retire by 2026, citing personal goals and readiness to move on.
- Her retirement has elicited widespread admiration and respect, with many praising her impressive career and expressing hope she might reconsider continuing to compete.
