World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka suffered a worrying setback ahead of the French Open after crashing out of the Italian Open with an apparent lower back and hip issue during a dramatic third-round defeat to Sorana Cirstea in Rome, May 9. The Belarusian star required treatment late in the match before falling 2-6, 6-3, 7-5, raising fresh doubts over her fitness less than two weeks before Roland Garros begins in Paris.
The unexpected defeat marked Sabalenka’s second loss in her last three matches and abruptly halted momentum that had made her one of the favorites entering the clay-court Grand Slam season. According to Reuters, Sabalenka admitted after the match that pain in her lower back and hip significantly affected her movement and ability to rotate through shots.
Sabalenka injury concerns grow before Roland Garros
Sabalenka appeared in control early against Cirstea, taking the opening set comfortably before her physical condition visibly deteriorated in the second and third sets. She took a medical timeout late in the deciding set but struggled to move freely afterward.
Her Italian Open exit immediately intensified concerns surrounding her readiness for Roland Garros, where she finished runner-up last year. The timing is particularly troubling given her heavy workload during an otherwise dominant 2026 season.
Coming into Rome, Sabalenka had already captured titles in Brisbane, Indian Wells and Miami while reaching the Australian Open final. However, the transition to clay has suddenly become problematic.
Coverage from The Guardian noted that Sabalenka’s defeat was her earliest loss in a tournament in more than a year, highlighting how unusual her recent struggles have become.
Cirstea delivers one of the season’s biggest upsets
While Sabalenka’s physical condition dominated headlines, credit also belonged to Cirstea, who produced one of the finest victories of her career. The Romanian veteran battled back from a set down to secure her first-ever win against a reigning world No. 1.
The 36-year-old played aggressively throughout the final two sets, repeatedly forcing Sabalenka into uncomfortable rallies and exposing the movement limitations caused by the injury.
According to Reuters’ match report, Sabalenka managed to fight back from a break down late in the third set before ultimately fading in the closing games.
Cirstea’s upset victory now stands as one of the defining moments of the Rome tournament and further complicates the women’s draw heading into Paris.
Sabalenka injury adds to growing Roland Garros uncertainty
The physical concerns arrive during an already tense period for Sabalenka and several top players. Earlier this week, the Belarusian made headlines for publicly discussing the possibility of players boycotting Roland Garros over prize-money disputes.
As reported by Reuters earlier this month, Sabalenka suggested top stars may eventually need to consider collective action if negotiations over revenue sharing continue to stall.
Now, however, the focus has shifted entirely toward her health and whether she can recover in time for the clay-court major.
Sabalenka has historically faced difficult moments at Roland Garros despite her elite status on tour. In 2023, she famously missed match points during a semifinal collapse against Karolina Muchova. Last year, she again fell short in the final despite entering the tournament as the top seed.
An official Roland Garros feature from 2025 detailed how Sabalenka described herself as “her own worst critic” after another painful defeat in Paris, illustrating the emotional pressure she has consistently faced on clay.
Can Sabalenka recover before Paris?
With Roland Garros scheduled to begin May 24, Sabalenka now faces a race against time. Lower back and hip injuries can become particularly problematic on clay because of the surface’s physical demands and extended rallies.
Her camp has not yet indicated whether additional medical evaluations or withdrawals from practice sessions are expected in the coming days.
Despite the concern, Sabalenka remains one of the most dangerous players in the women’s field when healthy. Her powerful serve and aggressive baseline game have transformed her into a multiple Grand Slam champion and one of the sport’s dominant figures over the last several seasons.
Still, the Rome loss has dramatically altered the conversation surrounding the women’s draw in Paris. What once appeared to be another strong title opportunity for Sabalenka now carries major uncertainty.
