A hydrostatically supported roll includes a stationary crosshead, which extends through a rotatable hollow cylinder to form a surrounding clearance space therewith. Annular sealing elements are radially movable in bores provided in the crosshead to sealingly abut the inner circumference of the hollow cylinder. The sealing elements are arranged in diametrically opposing pairs, i.e., they are offset by 180.degree. in the circumferential direction of the roll at the same longitudinal position along the roll. The entire clearance space surrounding the sealing elements is filled with hydraulic fluid at a predetermined pressure, except for the areas in which the sealing elements are present. The interior chamber of one of the sealing elements in each pair can be filled with hydraulic fluid at a higher pressure than the pressure in the clearance space, while the interior chamber of the other one of the sealing elements of each pair can be filled with a hydraulic fluid under a lower pressure than that in the clearance space. In this manner, the individual forces of the sealing elements in a pair produce a net increased, resultant force in the same direction that acts against the hollow cylinder.