Sorana Cirstea has announced that 2026 will be her last year as a professional tennis player.
The Romanian has reached two Grand Slam quarter-finals and has reached a career high of 21 in the world.
Recently, Cirstea has enjoyed consistent success on the tour as she has revived her career over the last couple of years.
However Cirstea believes now is the time to end her career while she still enjoys the sport, “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,” Cirstea wrote in a lengthy post on Instagram.
“Next year it will be my 20th year on tour as a professional tennis player. I never expected to compete for such a long time, but the last couple of years have been my happiest on court and they just kept me going. That being said, I have now decided that 2026 will be my last year on tour.
“When you love something so much, it’s not easy to say “good bye”. For now though this is not a farewell, but a “see you one more time”. I still have lots of things I want to improve, I have goals and ambitions, so I hope to be able to achieve some of them next year and finish this wonderful career on a high note and on my terms.
“I adore tennis and I am very fortunate and grateful for everything it has given me and taught me. This sport has allowed a 4 year old girl, holding the racket for the first time, live her dream. A beautiful dream where all the sacrifices have been so worth it. I look forward to seeing all my fans, friends and loved ones next to the court for one last dance around the world.
“Thank you Tennis, I will forever be indebted to you. See you in 2026 and thank you all for your unconditional support!”
