Stefanos Tsitsipas was among the players that decided to play back to back the Laver Cup in Geneva and then an ATP250 in Asia. That went wrong with most of the players as it was brutal to adjust to the completely different conditions in China and the jet lag.
Tsitsipas was struggling in the opening match against Adrian Mannarino and eventually, he had to withdraw after he lost the second set ahead of the decider.
The apology
The Greek sensation posted the following message on his Instagram:
“I’m very sorry to all the fans who came to see me play yesterday in Zhuhai. I was trying my best but unfortunately I had to retire as I was struggling to breathe out on court. Thank you to everyone in Zhuhai and sorry I couldn’t make it all the way. ”
Tsitsipas in Beijing
Stefanos will compete in the ATP500 next week in Beijing. Last year he opted to play in Tokyo instead in the same week when he reached the quarters before surrendering to home favorite Kei Nishikori.
Stefanos Tsitsipas’s ranking and performance in 2019
Ranked no.7, Tsitsipas played his last match on the 26th of September when he lost to Adrian Mannarino 3-6 7-5 ret. in the 2nd round in Zhuhai.
This year Tsitsipas has a 37-20 win-loss record. The Greek clinched 2 titles in 2019 in Marseille and in Estoril. Stefanos was the finalist in Dubai and in Madrid.
