'Give it back': Sorana Cirstea issues plea as Cleveland winning trophy goes missing in New York

Sorana Cirstea won her first WTA singles title recently since 2021 and her third overall in her career at Tennis in the Land also known as the Cleveland Open. But as she exited the US Open doubles, it was a double dose of disappointment as her trophy has been stolen.

Cirstea was presented with the trophy a day before the start of the US Open and so she went on to bring it with her to play at Flushing Meadows in New York as a result. She lost in the second round of the singles to Karolina Muchova.

As well as in the first round of the doubles with partner Anna Kalinskaya. It was a disappointing result as they were defeated by Peyton Stearns and McCartney Kessler. A result that also made headlines as Kalinskaya appeared to confront Peyton Stearns afterwards about a matter of disrespect.

Something which Stearns has later denied saying: "Guys chill, she didn’t see me apologize when I had hit some forehands at her, never hit her, but I put my hand up & she wasn’t looking. Cleared the air at the end and all is good, sealed with a fist bump."

But Cirstea's woes personally were confounded by the fact that she returned to her hotel, the Fifty Sonesta in New York to find out that her trophy was gone. She said that it had no value financially in her view but that is was more of a sentimental piece especially given that the Romanian is seemingly winding down her career.

"Whoever stole my Cleveland trophy from room 314 at @thefiftysonesta please give it back," the 35-year-old wrote on Instagram. "It has no material value, just sentimental value! It would be greatly appreciated! Thank you."

She came into that tournament she admitted at the time with little expectations and was left delighted, less so given that she now doesn't have the trophy she worked hard for.

“It has been a wonderful week,” Cirstea said after the match. “From the first match of qualies, I felt the energy, I felt welcome, and I really loved the city and the vibe. You could see on the court how relaxed and how much I was enjoying (myself). I really wanted to stay as long as possible here, so I’m very happy that I managed to do that.”

“It’s been a special week for me,” Cirstea said. “I really just came here to play some matches with absolutely zero expectations.”