Article by David Istrate – Published on Monday, 02 February 2026, 21:31 / Updated on Monday, 02 February 2026 21:41
Ana Bogdan (33 years old, 538 WTA), the 2024 Transylvania Open finalist, was defeated in the first round of this year's edition by Maja Chwalinska (24 years old, 146 WTA), score 3-6, 2-6. At the press conference after the match, the Romanian was extremely emotional, having several moments in which she spoke through tears.
After a 6-month break caused by both injury and the difficulty of finding joy in the sport, Ana Bogdan returned to the court at the Transylvania Open and, although she started well, leading 3-1, she was defeated by Maja Chwalinska in straight sets: 3-6, 2-6.
Ana Bogdan, after the defeat at the Transylvania Open: “It would be good to look at the glass half full”
Just like at the WTA 250 tournament in Iasi, the press conference in BTarena was emotional, the 33-year-old athlete living the moment very intensely.
“First of all, I'm very grateful to be back home, back on the field. As I said in a post last year, after the injury, this is the place I call home and being here again is a great joy for me“, said Ana.
“Obviously, I'm not happy with today's result, I can't say I'm happy about it. But, as I've talked to the team, this time it would really be good to look at the bottom of the glass and see that I didn't have any pain, neither in my knee nor in my ankle, which is maybe the most important thing,” she added.
Asked what was the most important lesson he learned during the break, the world number 538 sighed and paused. His eyes watered and his voice began to shake.
“The fact that it's not the numbers that matter, not the chase for results, not the chase for trophies, not the external validation, I don't know, all these things that somehow existed before. But the most important thing is what you have inside you and what you are as a man and as a person and don't forget that you are part of God, that you have God in you“, said Ana, with emotion, after which she completed her answer: “And if you are part of God, you can't help but be a wonderful person, you can't help but create beautiful things in this life.”
After this “reset” period, Ana admitted that she aims to return to the top 100, but stated that the main goal is consistency in training, matches and competitions and applying the learned aspects in the game.
Also, the 2024 Transylvania Open finalist said that, this year, she will compete in several tournaments in Romania, mentioning the one in Iasi and the one in Târgu Mureș. Ana's long term goal is to play 3 more years and make it to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Ana Bogdan, defeated in the first round at the Transylvania Open/Photo: Imago Images
Ana Bogdan, in tears when she spoke about the Cluj audience: “I feel his warmth, love, support”
Even though she was defeated, Ana Bogdan had a warm welcome on the central field of the BTarena. Asked about the goodbye with the Cluj public, she had a new moment when she started to cry.
“I really like Cluj. It's home for me. I moved here, I live here, I want to settle here,” the Romanian began, after which she paused for over 10 seconds, trying to continue her answer. “For me… playing in front of my home crowd again really meant a lot. Because I didn't believe it“, continued Ana, between tears.
A few months ago I really didn't know if I was going to play anymore or not. I had proposed other things, I had other plans. Somehow I was ready and to say ready because I really didn't know. Maybe I was a little tense today because I didn't manage my emotions that well. But it's always a great pleasure for me to be here and I always feel the warmth of the audience, their love, their support.
Honestly, I think that's what a man needs, whether he's a sportsman or not, you know, encouragement, nice words, people who support him, especially when he really doesn't have those results, he's not at the highest level that he was, you know, when you're at your lowest you see people who really support you.
During that break, I can say that I had moments when I was very low and could no longer see the light at the end of the tunnel. And the only things that lifted me up were faith and the fact that I didn't stop praying. There wasn't a day when I didn't pray and talk to God. That's where I found my strength, my inner light, and I got up and moved on
– Ana Bogdan
Ana Bogdan, in tears at the press conference/Photo: David Istrate (GSP.ro)
