Jaqueline Cristian might be missing the US Open this year, but she's certainly not missing the spotlight. The Romanian tennis star, who has been recovering from an injury, recently shared a swimsuit photo on Instagram that has fans buzzing.
With the caption "Sea you later," Cristian posted a picture of herself enjoying a well-deserved vacation. The 28-year-old, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 28 in the world, has been sidelined since her Wimbledon loss to Iva Jovic in June.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Cristian announced that her 2026 season is over, explaining that she's decided to prioritize her health and recovery. "My recovery is going well and I’m making progress every day, but I’ve also had a few setbacks along the way," she wrote. "After giving it a lot of thought, I’ve decided to end my season here and give my body the time it needs to fully recover."
Despite the disappointment of missing the rest of the season, Cristian remains optimistic about her future. "Of course, I wish I could be back out there competing already. But right now, the smartest thing I can do is be patient, trust the process and put all my energy into rebuilding," she continued. "I’m not interested in rushing back. I want to come back ready. Stronger, hungrier and better than before. So for now, it’s back to work. Quietly building towards 2027."
Cristian's decision to end her season early is a wise one, especially given the recent concerns about the tennis calendar and injury risks. The sport has seen its fair share of injuries this year, and Cristian is taking the necessary time to ensure she returns at full strength.
Before she dives back into training, Cristian is enjoying some downtime. Her swimsuit photo, which shows her relaxing in style, has drawn comparisons to other tennis stars who've turned heads with their off-court looks, like Ana Ivanovic's recent vacation snap.
Cristian was hoping to make a deep run at the US Open this year, having reached the third round in 2025 for the first time in her career. But with her season cut short, she'll have to wait until 2027 to make her mark on the Grand Slam stage again.
Fans have been supportive of Cristian's decision, flooding her social media with well-wishes and praise for her positive attitude. Many are eager to see her back on the court, and if her recovery goes as planned, she could be a formidable force in the coming years.
For now, Cristian is focusing on herself, both physically and mentally. Her vacation photos suggest she's in good spirits, and her determination to come back stronger is clear. As she put it, she's "quietly building towards 2027," and fans can't wait to see what that brings.
