Greek tennis sensation Stefanos Tsitsipas faced a whirlwind of criticism and disappointment after his abrupt retirement from the ATP Finals in Turin due to injury during his match against Holger Rune. Tsitsipas’ decision to step out despite concerns about his physical condition prompted reactions from former tennis stars Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski, shedding light on the situation and the crowd’s response.
Tsitsipas, ranked No. 6 globally, withdrew from the match against Rune after just three games, citing physical discomfort and noticeable limitations in his movements. His retirement prompted an unfavorable response from the Italian crowd, expressing their discontent through boos.
The 25-year-old had previously exhibited signs of injury, with reports indicating shortened practice sessions leading up to the tournament. Despite these concerns, Tsitsipas took to the court for his opening match against Jannik Sinner, which he eventually lost.
Commenting on Tsitsipas’ decision, Tim Henman, former World No. 4, expressed frustration, highlighting the challenges of playing through pain. Henman noted that going onto the court without full preparation exacerbates the situation, impacting the event, spectators, and the television audience.
Tsitsipas is forced to retire against Rune 😔
Get well soon, @steftsitsipas 💪#NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/SGeBJq8ots
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 14, 2023
Greg Rusedski, a former US Open finalist, empathized with the crowd’s reaction, understanding their disappointment at witnessing so little play. He suggested that spectators deserve at least a partial refund due to the truncated match.
Tsitsipas, in a press conference, expressed regret at disappointing the fans and clarified his decision to play despite his physical struggles. He explained his attempts to prepare adequately for the match but admitted the pain became overwhelming, especially during the warm-up.
The Greek tennis star conveyed his reluctance to retire mid-match but emphasized the severity of the pain, making it impossible for him to continue. Tsitsipas reiterated the immense disappointment in having to withdraw and apologized to the audience for not being able to deliver a complete match.
Tsitsipas’ decision to play despite evident physical discomfort and subsequent retirement stirred debate among tennis enthusiasts, highlighting the challenges athletes face while managing injuries and the impact on tournaments and spectators alike.
Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2023
Now the world no.6, the Greek played his last match on the 14th of November when he had to retire when playing against world no.8 Holger Rune in the round robin and the scoreline was 2-1 .
Presently, during this year Stefanos achieved an overall 51-24 win-loss record. Stefanos conquered 1 title in Los Cabos. Stefanos reached the final at the Australian Open and Barcelona.
Stefanos Tsitsipas |
| Embed from Getty Images |
