Sorana Cîrstea facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Sorana Cîrstea

Cîrstea in 2023
Country (sports)	Romania
Residence	Târgoviște, Romania
Born	(1990-04-07) 7 April 1990 (age 35) Bucharest, Romania
Height	1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Turned pro	2006
Plays	Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Coach	Albert Costa (2024–)
Prize money	US $9,660,952
Singles
Career record	530–401 (56.93%)
Career titles	2
Highest ranking	No. 21 (12 August 2013)
Current ranking	No. 39 (26 August 2024)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open	4R (2017, 2022)
French Open	QF (2009)
Wimbledon	3R (2009, 2012, 2017, 2021, 2023)
US Open	QF (2023)
Other tournaments
Olympic Games	1R (2008, 2012)
Doubles
Career record	151–123 (55.11%)
Career titles	5
Highest ranking	No. 35 (9 March 2009)
Current ranking	No. 1001 (26 August 2024)
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open	3R (2018)
French Open	3R (2008, 2018)
Wimbledon	3R (2011)
US Open	3R (2009, 2017)
Other doubles tournaments
Olympic Games	1R (2012)
Team competitions
Fed Cup	15–12 (55.56%)

Sorana Mihaela Cîrstea (born on April 7, 1990) is a professional tennis player from Romania. She is known for her powerful style of play. Sorana has achieved a high ranking of world No. 21 in singles. She also reached No. 35 in doubles. Her best results include reaching the quarterfinals at the French Open in 2009 and the US Open in 2023. She also played in the final of the Rogers Cup in 2013.

Sorana's Early Life and Family

Sorana Cîrstea was born in Bucharest, Romania. Her parents are Mihai and Liliana. She lives in Târgoviște, which is her parents' hometown. Sorana has a younger brother named Mihnea. Her mother introduced her to tennis when she was just four years old. Sorana's father owns an ice cream factory in Târgoviște. She has said that famous tennis players Steffi Graf and Roger Federer are her heroes.

Sorana's Tennis Journey

Starting as a Junior Player (2005–2006)

Sorana Cîrstea was a top junior tennis player. She reached No. 6 in the world for junior players in 2006. She won the German Junior Open in 2005. She also came in second place at the Trofeo Bonfiglio in 2006. In that tournament, she beat the top-ranked junior player, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Sorana became a professional tennis player in 2006. She finished that year ranked No. 353 in the world.

First Big Wins and Top 40 Ranking (2007–2008)

In April 2007, Sorana reached the final of the Budapest Grand Prix. She was the first Romanian woman to reach a WTA Tour final since 2000. She beat two players who were in the top 40. In 2008, Sorana played for Romania at the 2008 Summer Olympics. She won her first WTA title in Tashkent in October 2008. She also won two doubles titles that year. By the end of 2008, at just 18 years old, she was ranked No. 36 in singles. She was the No. 1 Romanian player.

Grand Slam Quarterfinals at the French Open (2009)

Cirstea at the 2009 French Open

Sorana had a great year in 2009, especially at the French Open. She won against the 21st seed, Alizé Cornet. Then she beat her doubles partner, Caroline Wozniacki, who was the tenth seed. Sorana continued her amazing run by beating the fifth-seeded Jelena Janković. This win helped her reach her first-ever Grand Slam quarterfinal. She lost in the quarterfinals to Sam Stosur.

Sorana also reached the finals in two doubles tournaments that year. She played with Andreja Klepač in Barcelona and with Maria Kirilenko in Fes. She ended 2009 ranked No. 43 in the world.

Challenges and Comebacks (2010–2016)

The year 2010 was tough for Sorana. She struggled with her form and lost many early matches. She ended the year ranked No. 93.

In 2011, Sorana started to improve. She won a $100,000 tournament in France. She also reached the third round of the French Open. Sorana won her fourth WTA doubles title in Dallas with Alberta Brianti. She finished 2011 ranked No. 60.

Cîrstea at the Romanian Open

Sorana continued to climb the rankings in 2012. She beat the sixth seed, Sam Stosur, at the Australian Open. She reached the semifinals in Pattaya and Barcelona. She also upset Marion Bartoli at the Madrid Open. Sorana played in the 2012 Summer Olympics but lost in the first round. She ended 2012 ranked No. 27.

Reaching Her Highest Ranking (2013)

Cîrstea at the 2013 Indian Wells Open

In 2013, Sorana had one of her best years. She reached the semifinals at the Pattaya Open. At the Miami Open, she made it to the fourth round. She also reached the third round of the French Open.

Her biggest achievement was reaching her first final in five years at the Rogers Cup. On her way to the final, she beat two former world No. 1 players, Caroline Wozniacki and Jelena Janković. She also defeated Grand Slam champions Petra Kvitová and Li Na. She lost to Serena Williams in the final. After this, she reached her career-high ranking of No. 21 in the world.

Dealing with Injuries (2014–2015)

Cîrstea at the 2014 Madrid Open

In 2014, Sorana faced challenges due to injuries, especially to her shoulder. She helped Romania win their Fed Cup match against Serbia. She reached the third round of the French Open. She finished 2014 ranked No. 93.

The year 2015 was difficult. Sorana fell out of the top 100 for the first time since 2008. She struggled with injuries and lost many early matches. She ended 2015 ranked No. 244.

Cîrstea at the 2015 US Open Qualifying

Climbing Back Up (2016)

Sorana started 2016 ranked No. 244. She won a tournament in Brazil, her first win in almost four years. She reached the semifinals at the Rio Open, which helped her ranking improve. She also reached the quarterfinals at the Madrid Open. By the end of 2016, she was back in the top 100, ranked No. 81.

Consistent Performance and Top 40 Return (2017–2020)

Cîrstea at the 2017 Aegon International Eastbourne

In 2017, Sorana reached the fourth round of the Australian Open for the first time. She beat a top-10 player, Karolína Plíšková, at the China Open. She finished 2017 ranked No. 37.

The years 2018 and 2019 had mixed results for Sorana. She reached the third round of the US Open for the first time in 10 years. She also made it to the final of the Tashkent Open. She ended 2019 ranked No. 72.

In 2020, Sorana reached the third round of the US Open again. She beat the ninth seed, Johanna Konta. She also won an ITF tournament in Dubai, her first singles title since 2016. She finished 2020 ranked No. 86.

Winning Titles and Grand Slam Success (2021–2024)

In 2021, Sorana had a great start. She beat a top-10 player, Petra Kvitová, at the Australian Open. She won her second WTA singles title at the İstanbul Cup. She reached the fourth round of the French Open. She also beat former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka at Wimbledon. She ended 2021 ranked No. 38.

In 2022, Sorana reached the fourth round of the Australian Open for the second time. She also made it to the semifinals in Lyon and Birmingham. She ended 2022 ranked No. 45.

Cîrstea at the 2023 US Open

The year 2023 was another strong one for Sorana. She reached her first WTA 1000 semifinal since 2013 at the Miami Open. She beat world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka, which was her biggest win ever. She also won the first-ever Catalonia Open. At the US Open, Sorana reached the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam for the second time in her career. This was 14 years after her first Grand Slam quarterfinal at the 2009 French Open. She beat the fourth seed, Elena Rybakina, and the 15th seed, Belinda Bencic. These great results helped her return to the top 25 rankings.

In 2024, Sorana continued her strong play. She reached the semifinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships. She even saved six match points in one match!

How Sorana Plays Tennis

Cîrstea playing a volley

Sorana Cîrstea is an aggressive player. She hits the ball hard and flat from the back of the court. This means she often hits many winning shots, but also sometimes makes mistakes. Her backhand shot is very strong and she can hit winners with it. Her forehand is also powerful.

Sorana is also good at hitting volleys when she is closer to the net. Her first serve is powerful, reaching speeds of up to 109 miles per hour (175 km/h). This helps her control the game from the very first shot.

Sorana's Sponsors

Sorana has had different sponsors for her clothes and equipment. From 2006 to 2016, Adidas sponsored her. Since 2016, she has been sponsored by New Balance.

She has used different tennis racquets throughout her career. She used Wilson racquets until 2014. In 2015, she used a Babolat racquet. Since 2019, she has been using the Yonex EZONE 100 racquet.

Sorana's Grand Slam Results

Sorana has played in many Grand Slam tournaments. These are the four biggest tennis events each year: the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open.

Singles Performance at Grand Slams

Doubles Performance at Grand Slams

See also

In Spanish: Sorana Cîrstea para niños