Article by Alexandru Stanciu – Published Saturday, January 31, 2026, 09:55 / Updated Saturday, January 31, 2026 09:56
At her last participation in the WTA Transylvania Open tournament, Sorana Cîrstea (35 years old, #41 WTA) declared that she wants to become the first tennis player from Romania to establish herself on the indoor hard court in Cluj-Napoca.
Since last year, Sorana Cîrstea announced that 2026 will be the year in which she will retire from tennis, without specifying exactly after which tournament she will stop. A year ago, also at the Transylvania Open, Simona Halep played her last professional match on the WTA circuit, 1-6, 1-6 with Lucia Bronzetti.
Sorana Cîrstea, ready to win the Transylvania Open in her last participation
Sorana Cîrstea has already arrived in Cluj-Napoca to participate in the Transylvania Open, a tournament that runs from February 1-7. In the first round, the Romanian will meet Kamilla Rakhimova (24 years old, #93 WTA).
“I know I will have tears in my eyes, but they will be tears of joy. I am extremely grateful for what this sport has given me. I want to win, that would be ideal. It would crown the beautiful and long career I have had“, Sorana Cîrstea said upon arrival at the airport, according to sport.ro.
Sorana Cîrstea and Simona Halep
Sorana Cîrstea also recalled the hug with Simona Halep after the withdrawal of the former world leader from the WTA circuit: “It's normal that Simona's withdrawal affected me, we grew up together, we've known each other since we were 7-8 years old. I felt that a part of me had withdrawn”.
Sorana Cîrstea is the third favorite to win the tournament, after Jaqueline Cristian, rated with a second chance, and Emma Răducanu, the main favorite.
The Brit will face Greet Minnen (#123 WTA) in the first round, while Jaqueline Cristian will face Camila Osorio (#84 WTA).
There are 4 other Romanians on the main draw at the Transylvania Open: Gabriela Ruse, Miriam Bulgaru, Ana Bogdan and Elena Ruxandra Bertea.
