Cirstea Draws Inspiration from Nadal: "Play Each Point at 1000%"

On the eve of her announced retirement in 2026, Sorana Cirstea opens up about the mental approach that transformed her career. Inspired by Rafael Nadal, the Romanian reveals how she learned to ignore the score and fight for every point.

Clément Gehl

le 22/12/2025 à 07h54

1 min to read

Cirstea Sorana Nadal Rafael

Sorana Cirstea, who will retire at the end of the 2026 season, discussed the mental aspect in Caroline Garcia's Tennis Insider Club podcast.

She revealed drawing inspiration from Rafael Nadal by never worrying about the score: "Look at Nadal. He doesn't play matches, he plays points. He plays each point at 1000%. Sometimes you shouldn't even worry about the score; you just have to play each point to the fullest.

"You have to fight"

Later in my career, I managed to change that, and playing like that is much more enjoyable. When you step onto the court, you have to fight, no matter what happens that day."

Sources

puntodebreak.com

Cirstea Sorana

43e, 1243 points

Nadal Rafael

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As we move to the end of this month and also closing out the year I am wishing all of those following me a Merry Christmas and a Happy/Healthy New Year.

Let's make that wish for all 2000 plus players hoping for 5 wins each day. Hoping ŵhen we open the results page to see all green, and no red. And especially NO CANCELED matches.

From me and my rotti JAZ, I bid you all good night, and see you in...

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I love tennis

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why did tennis tonic void predictions on the match between Chwalinska and Huergo at the Quito tournament? The match was played to completion and on time. If TT feels the match is one sided, and of course it was, then don't put it up for prediction. This is getting irritating.

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The finals are here, and we scramble for the best finish. I've been chasing "King" all year and I was able to shrink the spread a little. Skelp is also closing the gap.

Seasons best to all the regulars in our league.

Will you all be back in the new year.?

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Steffi Graf completed a Golden Slam (not just a career Grand Slam) when she was 19. She is the only person to accomplish that, winning the four majors plus Olympic gold the same calendar year.

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