How impending retirement is fuelling Cirstea’s success

They say you’re a long time retired and Romania’s Sorana Cirstea is fully embodying the idea of finishing a successful career on a high.

Cirstea, 36, is set to end her playing career at the end of 2026, but not before a stunning swansong which has become one of the most heartwarming stories of the season.

On Tuesday, Cirstea earned a 6-1 7-6 (7-0) victory over Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko to move into the Italian Open semi-finals for the first time.

The run has seen Cirstea move inside the top 10 of the annual WTA seasonal race and put her among the in-form players going into the French Open later this month.

“I always said there’s no expiration date for ambition and dreams,” Cirstea said.

“I think everyone can see that I absolutely love this sport. I have so much passion for it.

“For me to play here and be in the semi-finals in Rome is absolutely amazing.”

When Cirstea announced 2026 would be her farewell after a 20-year career, not even her dreams would have suggested the reality of how it has panned out.

Announcing her retirement has led to playing with new-found freedom, as well as a feeling of having nothing left to prove.

This liberated mindset has produced some of the best results of her career – particularly on clay where she has won 10 of her 12 matches so far.

Earlier this week, she became the oldest player to beat a world number one after taking out Aryna Sabalenka in the Rome third round.

If Cirstea manages to beat Coco Gauff or Mirra Andreeva in the semi-finals, she will also break another notable barrier – finally cracking the world’s top 20.

Having forged a solid career which has included four WTA titles and two Grand Slam quarter-finals, Cirstea has never gone higher than a peak of 21st – which came way back in 2013.

Given she is playing some of the finest tennis of her career, it has prompted many people to ask whether she could reconsider her decision.

Cirstea remains committed to hanging up her racquet, although she has added a caveat as her run in Rome continued.

“Maybe if I win the tournament, I promise I’ll think about it,” she laughed.