Romanian tennis star Sorana Cîrstea says the trophy she recently won was stolen from her New York City hotel room while she was competing at the U.S. Open.
Trophy Stolen From Hotel
Cîrstea, 35, had just won the Tennis in the Land tournament in Cleveland on August 23 before traveling to New York for the U.S. Open. On the night of August 30, she reported that her Cleveland trophy had gone missing from her room at The Fifty Sonesta hotel.
The player made a heartfelt plea on Instagram, writing:
“Whoever stole my Cleveland trophy from room [redacted] at The Fifty Sonesta please give it back! It has no material value, just sentimental value. It would be greatly appreciated!”
She reposted the message again on September 1, adding that tournament organizers were working to provide her with a replacement trophy.
U.S. Open Performance
At the U.S. Open, Cîrstea started strong with a win in her first-round singles match. However, she was eliminated in the second round by No. 11 seed Karolina Muchova, last year’s semifinalist.
In doubles, she teamed up with Anna Kalinskaya but lost in the opening round.
Career Milestone
The Cleveland victory marked the third singles title of Cîrstea’s long career, following her wins in 2008 and 2021. She defeated American Ann Li in the final to secure the championship.
Despite her exit from the U.S. Open, the win in Cleveland was a proud moment for the Romanian veteran, making the loss of the trophy especially painful.
Hotel and Police Response
The Fifty Sonesta hotel declined to comment on the reported theft. Meanwhile, the New York City Police Department said they had no official complaint report on file when asked about the incident.
For Sorana Cîrstea, the Cleveland trophy carried deep sentimental value as a symbol of her third career singles title. Its disappearance during her U.S. Open stay in New York has been a bitter moment in an otherwise memorable summer.
While she may receive a replacement, the original trophy remains missing — leaving both fans and the player hoping it will one day be returned.
