Sorana Cirstea won her fourth career title at the expense of Emma Raducanu.
Dropping just two games, Cirstea defeated Raducanu, 6-0, 6-2, to clinch the title in Cluj-Napoca.
The Romanian was excellent from start to finish, becoming the first-ever home winner of the Transylvania Open.
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Her opponent, Raducanu, was far from her best, though, and looked to be physically struggling at times.
Regardless of the result, it was still a positive week for the Brit, who reached her first WTA final since the 2021 US Open.
Recognising her efforts, Cirstea took a moment to congratulate Raducanu during her post-match speech.
Sorana Cirstea hopes Emma Raducanu will return to win the Transylvania Open
Cirstea had some classy words for Raducanu after beating her in the final (translated from Romanian).
“Emma, I will speak in Romanian, I know you understand,” she said.
“Congratulations on a wonderful week.
“We are extremely happy to have you here in Cluj, and I hope you will come back and lift this trophy one day.”
Cirstea wants to see Raducanu win the Transylvania Open and, after watching her play this year, her wish might just come true.
She also impressed on her first visit to Cluj-Napoca, five years ago, and boasts a solid 6-2 (75%) record at the event.
Emma Raducanu in Cluj-Napoca
- 2021 Transylvania Open 1R [WIN] vs Polona Hercog, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1
- 2021 Transylvania Open 2R [WIN] vs Ana Bogdan, 6-3, 6-4
- 2021 Transylvania Open QF [LOSS] vs Marta Kostyuk, 2-6, 1-6
- 2026 Transylvania Open 1R [WIN] vs Greet Minnen, 6-0, 6-4
- 2026 Transylvania Open 2R [WIN] vs Kaja Juvan, 7-5, 6-1
- 2026 Transylvania Open QF [WIN] vs Maja Chwalinska, 6-0, 6-4
- 2026 Transylvania Open SF [WIN] vs Oleksandra Oliyniykova, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3
- 2026 Transylvania Open F [LOSS] vs Sorana Cirstea, 0-6, 2-6
But if she is to lift the trophy in Romania, Raducanu might be wise not to leave it five years before returning this time…
Emma Raducanu has decisions to make after a strong week in Romania
Raducanu can be pleased with her efforts in the north of Romania, but it’s now time for her to make some important decisions.
The first of which is resolving her confusing coaching situation.
Splitting with another coach, Raducanu ended her relationship with Francisco Roig after the Australian Open.
Earlier this week, Raducanu confirmed that the LTA’s Alexis Canter was coaching her for the ‘foreseeable’, but a short-term fix doesn’t fill anyone with confidence.
It’s about time the Brit finds a proper, full-time coach that she sticks with for the long haul.
Several names have been suggested, including her former coach, Mark Petchey.
Raducanu enjoyed one of the best weeks of her career with Petchey in her corner at the 2025 Miami Open, where she reached the quarterfinals.
Petchey wasn’t prepared to coach Raducanu full-time then, though, and it’s hard to imagine his stance has changed.
Another potential option is three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray.
Murray has limited coaching experience, but the little experience he does have was with arguably the greatest tennis player of all time, Novak Djokovic.
Emma Raducanu should make Andy Murray her next coach
Do you think this is a possibility?
A true advocate for women’s sport, on paper, it seems a good fit, although the status of Murray and Raducanu’s relationship is unclear.
They were meant to play mixed doubles together at Murray’s last Wimbledon, before Raducanu pulled out at the last minute.
Her decision was poorly received by the British public and Murray’s mother, Judy Murray, who said the following on X.
“Yes, astonishing,” Murray said in reaction to Raducanu’s withdrawal.
If that’s not a realistic option, perhaps Raducanu should turn to Andrew Richardson, the man who guided her to the US Open in 2021.
Resolving the coaching situation is vital, but it’s not the only decision she needs to make.
The new world number 25 must decide whether she wants to travel to Doha for the Qatar Open next week.
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She didn’t look healthy at all in the final against Cirstea, and isn’t used to playing this much tennis in a week.
While the prospect of a first-round tie in Qatar vs qualifier Camila Osorio may be enticing, it may be worth taking a week off to heal up before Dubai.
Risking injury at a tournament she has never won a match at, seems reckless, to say the least.
It remains to be seen what Raducanu will decide to do, but there’s certainly a lot to look out for over the coming days.
The 2026 Qatar Open begins on Monday, February 9, before the Dubai Tennis Championships start on Monday, February 16.
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