Following a disappointing first-round exit at Wimbledon 2025, Stefanos Tsitsipas has sparked concerns about his future in tennis. After retiring mid-match against French qualifier Valentin Royer due to a back injury, Tsitsipas made a statement that hinted at the possibility of retirement if his health issues persist.
Wimbledon Exit and “Battling Many Wars”
Tsitsipas, seeded 24th at Wimbledon, struggled physically during his match against Royer. He received a medical timeout in the second set for a back issue but ultimately retired while trailing 6-3, 6-2. His movement and serve were visibly affected, landing only 43% of his first serves.
Following his retirement, Tsitsipas said, “It’s tough to describe. I’m battling many wars these days,”. He expressed frustration with his fragile body and the constant struggle to feel healthy. “It’s really painful to see myself in a situation like this,” he added, stating his dislike for retiring from matches.
Injury History and the “Limit”
Tsitsipas has been dealing with a recurring back injury since the 2023 Nitto ATP Finals in Turin. He was forced to retire from a match against Holger Rune at that event, and the injury has continued to trouble him.
“It’s probably the most difficult situation that I’ve ever been faced with, because it’s an ongoing issue that doesn’t seem to be disappearing or fading off as much,” Tsitsipas said. He admitted that he has a “limit” and will need to decide in the next few months whether he wants to continue playing. “If I’m not healthy, and I’ve talked about health so many times, if health is not there, then your whole tennis life becomes miserable,” he stated.
A Career at a Crossroads
At 26 years old, Tsitsipas’s career appears to be at a crossroads. Once considered a potential successor to the “Big Three” (Federer, Nadal, Djokovic), he has struggled to maintain consistency and has faced numerous setbacks due to injury.
Coaching Changes and Inconsistent Form
In the past 12 months, Tsitsipas has gone through three coaching changes and a series of disappointing results. He has only reached one quarterfinal in his last nine Grand Slam tournaments. Despite winning the Dubai title earlier in the year, his form has been inconsistent, leading to a drop in the ATP rankings.
Doubts About the Future
Tsitsipas’s recent comments have raised concerns about his motivation and commitment to the sport. “If I see it going in that trajectory, there is no point at competing,” he said, suggesting that he may consider retirement if his health does not improve.
He further elaborated on his physical struggles, “Tennis is a rotational sport, and if you can’t rotate, then there’s no reason playing it”.
Support and Uncertainty
Despite the challenges, Tsitsipas has the support of his new coach, Goran Ivanisevic, who previously worked with Novak Djokovic. Ivanisevic has emphasized the need for technical and mental adjustments, stressing the importance of patience and hard work for Tsitsipas to overcome his setbacks.
However, the tennis world remains uncertain about Tsitsipas’s future. While some believe he may take a break to clear his mind, others are concerned that his ongoing injury issues could lead to an early retirement.
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