Aryna Sabalenka has suffered a loss of form in recent times leading to her status as one of the favourites for French Open being questioned.
Aryna Sabalenka’s form has taken a hit as the WTA World No. 1 made a third-round exit from the Italian Open after a shock defeat to Sorana Cirstea of Romania. The defeat comes as a fresh blow for the top-ranked star ahead of the 2026 French Open which begins May 18.
The loss for Sabalenka is also concerning as it was her second defeat in last three matches. 11 days ago, the Belarus star had lost to Hailey Baptiste at the Madrid Open quarter-final. She also took a medical time-out late in the deciding set in Rome, raising concerns over her fitness ahead of season’s second Grand Slam.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADSabalenka reveals lower back issue
Sabalenka had raced to a 6-2, 2-0 lead and looked in full control before her Romanian opponent turned it around with a brilliant comeback performance. The World No. 1 did not look comfortable in the last set and ultimately lost 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 to the 27th-ranked Cirstea.
“I feel like I didn’t play well from the beginning till the end,” Sabalenka said talking about the match.
She also revealed that her body did not allow her to play to her full potential. “I started really well, but then I kind of dropped the level. Felt like my body was limiting me from performing on the highest level. She stepped in and played incredible tennis.”
“I’d say that probably it’s like my lower back, connected to the hip, which kind of like limiting me from the full rotation. I guess we just going to have some days off. We’re going to spend it on recovery. That’s the plan I believe for now,” she said.
At the Madrid Open, Sabalenka had similarly lost despite looking well in control for a good period. She squandered six match points against Hailey Baptiste to get knocked out from the quarter-final.
Sabalenka was a runner-up at last year’s French Open and was considered one of the favourites this year as well. However, a loss of form close to the tournament has raised questions over her status as the favourite.
First Published:
May 10, 2026, 11:30 IST
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