Sabalenka out of Italian Open amid injury concerns for Roland Garros

World number one Aryna Sabalenka was eliminated in the third round of the Italian Open on May 9, 2026, losing to Romania's Sorana Cirstea 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 after suffering lower back pain during the match. It was Cirstea's first career win over a world number one at age 36. The defeat raises injury concerns for Sabalenka ahead of Roland Garros, which begins in less than two weeks.