Aryna Sabalenka admits to injury concern ahead of French Open after Italian Open defeat to Sorana Cirstea - 'Felt like my body was limiting me'

Competing in her final scheduled tournament before beginning her campaign for a first Roland-Garros title in late May, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max, Sabalenka sailed through the first set and went 2-0 up in the second but then lost six of the next seven games and needed to take a medical timeout when 4-3 down in the decisive set.

When Sabalenka broke Cirstea to cut her deficit to 5-4 and then held serve to level the score, it seemed like she could avoid her earliest exit on the WTA Tour for more than a year.

Instead, Cirstea rallied and clinched victory when Sabalenka sent a backhand too deep, the world No. 27 advancing to face Linda Noskova in the fourth round.

”I feel like I did not play well from the beginning till the end. I started really well, but then I kind of dropped the level,” Sabalenka told the WTA.

”Felt like my body was limiting me from performing on the highest level. She stepped in and played incredible tennis. Did not really give me much opportunities. Yeah, that was a tough one. But I guess we never lose; we only learn, so it is okay."

Asked about her fitness levels, Sabalenka said: ”I would say that probably it is like my lower back, connected to the hip, which [is] kind of like limiting me from the full rotation. I guess we [are] just going to have some days off. We are going to spend it on recovery. That is the plan I believe for now.”

Cirstea has said she would retire at the end of 2026 but claimed this latest success could convince her to rethink that decision.

She beat Emma Raducanu in straight sets to win the Transylvania Open - the fourth title of her career - and reached the last 16 of the Dubai Tennis Championship and Miami Open earlier this season before winning against the world No. 1 for the first time in Rome.

”Maybe if I win the tournament, I promise I will think about it,” Cirstea told the crowd. ”It is amazing what I feel in Rome, that is why I still play - for these emotions, this support.”

Sabalenka also paid tribute to Cirstea, while lamenting her exit from the professional ranks. 

”She is a fighter. It is kind of like it is sad to see her leaving because I feel like she is one of those players that is fighting no matter what. I felt like she could stay for longer. It is her choice. We all respect that. I just wish her the best season to finish her career,” Sabalenka said.

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TNT Sports is the exclusive French Open broadcaster in the UK and Ireland. Coverage of every court will be available to stream live on HBO Max.