Stefanos Tsitsipas revealed that his recent back injury was so severe that it made even getting out of bed in the morning a daunting task. The world No. 6, who played only one full match in Turin before withdrawing from the ATP Finals, initially downplayed the issue after losing to Jannik Sinner, stating he was fine. However, during his subsequent match against Holger Rune, Tsitsipas retired after just three games, citing the debilitating back injury.
The crowd in Turin expressed frustration by loudly booing Tsitsipas off the court, prompting him to defend himself, insisting that he wouldn’t have played if he didn’t believe he could finish the match. He emphasized the intensity of the pain, stating that the injury had a significant impact on his body, making it difficult for him to function normally. In the days following the ATP Finals, Tsitsipas struggled to wake up and face the day due to the persistent pain lasting one or two weeks. Despite ongoing efforts to alleviate the discomfort, he admitted that he is not yet at 100 percent but is gradually improving.
Looking ahead, Tsitsipas aims to kick off his 2024 season at the United Cup, where he will once again lead Greece alongside Maria Sakkari. Reflecting on the previous year, Greece was defeated by Italy in the semifinals of the inaugural United Cup. The extent of Tsitsipas’s recovery and his performance upon returning to action at the United Cup remain uncertain.
