URGENT UPDATE: Tennis star Sorana Cirstea has reported the theft of her trophy while competing at the U.S. Open in New York. The incident occurred on Saturday night as the Romanian player was engaged in matches at the prestigious tournament.
Cirstea, 35, revealed on her Instagram that an unknown thief stole her trophy from room 314 at The Fifty Sonesta Hotel. She previously won this trophy at a smaller tournament in Cleveland just before heading to New York. “Whoever stole my Cleveland trophy, please give it back!” she urged her followers. “It has NO material value, just sentimental value! It would be [greatly] appreciated! Thanks, Sorana.”
As of now, the hotel has not commented on the theft, and authorities are yet to release a statement regarding the incident. This alarming news comes just days after Cirstea’s second-round exit from the women’s singles draw, where she faced No. 11 seed Karolina Muchova.
In addition, Cirstea competed in the doubles event with partner Anna Kalinskaya, but they were eliminated in the first round by American duo Peyton Stearns and McCartney Kessler on Friday afternoon.
Cirstea expressed her joy after winning the Cleveland tournament, stating, “It’s been a special week for me. I really just came here to play some matches with absolutely zero expectations.” This trophy was only the third of her career, adding to her titles from 2021 in Istanbul and 2008 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
The emotional plea from Cirstea highlights the personal significance of the trophy beyond its physical presence. Fans and fellow athletes are rallying to support her in the hopes of recovering the stolen item, emphasizing the importance of community in sportsmanship.
As this story develops, fans are urged to keep an eye on social media for any updates regarding the stolen trophy. The impact of this theft resonates deeply, not only affecting Cirstea but also the larger tennis community as they rally around her during this distressing time. Authorities are expected to investigate the incident further, and updates will follow as they become available.
Stay tuned for more urgent developments on this story.