Aching In Rome, Dreaming Of Paris — Sabalenka's Clay Swing Takes A Hit

Nikunj May 10, 2026 400 Views

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka crashed out of the Italian Open in the third round after a shock 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 loss to Sorana Cirstea on Saturday, revealing a lower back and hip injury that limited her rotation during the match. With the French Open starting May 24, her Paris dreams now hinge on a swift recovery over the next two weeks.

The News At A Glance

Aryna Sabalenka's clay-court campaign took a painful turn in Rome when the reigning world number one fell to Sorana Cirstea in three sets, requiring a medical timeout in the deciding set due to a left hip and lower back issue. The defeat — her second in three matches after a quarterfinal exit to Hailey Baptiste in Madrid — has cast a shadow over her preparations ahead of Roland Garros. With the French Open just a fortnight away, the Belarusian says she plans to rest and focus on recovery before heading to Paris, where she lost last year's final to Coco Gauff.

The Rome Rupture In Detail

Sabalenka started the match in commanding fashion, winning the first set 6-2, but her level dropped sharply as the match progressed. In the third set, she was seen grimacing and called for a medical timeout, raising alarm among fans and coaching staff. Cirstea, ranked outside the top 50, claimed the biggest win of her career — defeating a world number one for the first time.

Injury Breakdown

The world No. 1 described the problem in a post-match press conference: "It's probably my lower back connected to the hip, which is limiting my full rotation." The injury appears linked to a recurring issue she has been managing since withdrawing from the Stuttgart tournament in April following her Miami Open title run. Limited rotation in a sport that demands explosive lateral movement and full-swing mechanics is a serious functional setback, particularly on slow clay courts where physical endurance matters most.

The Roland Garros Question

Sabalenka has never won the French Open title — a gap in her Grand Slam record she is eager to fill. Her back-to-back clay losses in Madrid and Rome, combined with an active injury, make Roland Garros 2026 a high-stakes gamble. With about 14 days between her Rome exit and the Paris draw, the recovery window is tight but not impossible.

Court Comeback Highlights

Back-to-back clay defeats: quarterfinal loss in Madrid (to Hailey Baptiste), third-round exit in Rome (to Sorana Cirstea)
Injury diagnosis: lower back and hip issue limiting full rotation during shots
Medical timeout called during the third and deciding set in Rome
Cirstea achieved her career-first win over a world number one
Sabalenka plans rest days before resuming preparation for the French Open
French Open begins May 24 in Paris; Sabalenka lost last year's final to Coco Gauff
She had withdrawn from Stuttgart in April due to injury sustained after Miami Open victory

Sources: Reuters, India Today, The Star, ABC News, Punch NG, WTA Tennis

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