Jelena Ostapenko has revealed that a severe heat stroke forced her to retire from her first-round match at the Wuhan Open. The Latvian star, trailing 0–6, 1–2 against Romania’s Sorana Cirstea, was visibly struggling before calling it quits. In an Instagram post, the 28-year-old thanked fans for their support and promised to “be back stronger next year,” praising the Chinese crowd for their energy and atmosphere.
Harsh Conditions Strike Again in China
Ostapenko’s withdrawal follows a string of retirements across both tours in China. Emma Raducanu also retired in the same event, while Iga Swiatek had also complained earlier about the tough conditions at the Wuhan Open — highlighting the taxing conditions players have faced this swing.
A Season to Forget for Ostapenko
The retirement marks another low point in a disappointing 2025 season for Ostapenko. The former Roland Garros champion has managed just 18 wins in 37 matches, losing seven of her last ten. Early exits at Wimbledon, the US Open, and most recent defeats in Beijing and Guadalajara underline her inconsistent form. With her trademark aggression misfiring too often, the Latvian will aim to regroup physically and mentally before closing out the year.
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