Stefanos Tsitsipas, once a world No. 3 and a beacon of Greek tennis, suffered a devastating blow at Wimbledon 2025, retiring from his first-round match against French qualifier Valentin Royer due to a persistent back injury. Trailing 6-3, 6-2 after 74 minutes on Court 3 on June 30, 2025, the 24th seed, visibly hampered, took a medical timeout in the second set but could not continue, handing Royer a walkover into the second round. The emotional aftermath saw Tsitsipas, a two-time Grand Slam finalist, cast serious doubts over his tennis career, admitting, “If I see it continue like this, there’s no point in competing.” His raw, heartfelt press conference laid bare the toll of a chronic injury that has plagued him since the 2023 ATP Finals, raising questions about his future in the sport he once dominated.
The match began with promise for Tsitsipas, who entered Wimbledon with renewed hope under the guidance of new coach Goran Ivanisevic, the 2001 Wimbledon champion and former mentor to Novak Djokovic. However, the 26-year-old’s movement faltered early, with only 43% of first serves landing and a noticeable struggle to rotate, critical in a sport defined by explosive twists. “Tennis is a rotational sport, and if you can’t rotate, then there’s no reason playing it,” Tsitsipas said, pinpointing the lower left side of his back as the source of his torment, an issue he likened to one recently faced by Arthur Fils at the French Open. His discomfort was evident as he grimaced through points, and despite physiotherapy, the pain proved insurmountable. “It’s impossible to play tennis like this,” he was reportedly heard saying during the match, a sentiment that echoed his despair.
Tsitsipas’s 2025 season, marked by a 19-13 record, has been a rollercoaster. A highlight was his Dubai title, his 12th ATP trophy, which briefly propelled him back into the top 10. Yet, his form has been inconsistent, with no back-to-back wins since April’s Barcelona Open and only one Grand Slam quarterfinal in his last nine Majors. “I’m battling many wars these days,” he confessed, his voice heavy with frustration. “It’s really painful to see myself in a situation like this. I feel like I’m left without answers. I don’t know what to do.” Despite exhaustive efforts in fitness and physiotherapy, the recurring back issue, which first forced a retirement against Holger Rune at the 2023 ATP Finals, shows no signs of abating. Tsitsipas ruled out surgery, stating, “The damage has been done already,” and hinted at a potential break from tennis to reassess his future.
The Greek star’s partnership with Ivanisevic, announced in May 2025, was meant to spark a revival. “He’s great. We’re having a great time,” Tsitsipas said, though he lamented not showcasing his potential at Wimbledon. His preparation included exhibition wins at Hurlingham Club, but a second-round loss to Alex Michelsen in Halle and Jannik Sinner’s coach Darren Cahill noting back struggles during practice foreshadowed the Wimbledon setback. “I was playing good tennis. I felt like I had a good chance at Wimbledon,” Tsitsipas reflected, making the abrupt exit all the more crushing.
Royer, ranked No. 113, celebrated a career-defining moment, advancing to face Adrian Mannarino in an all-French second-round clash. For Tsitsipas, the defeat joins a string of injury-plagued exits, including a walkover against Arthur Fils at the 2025 Barcelona Open. The scorching 34-degree heat at Wimbledon, prompting the All England Club’s warm-weather policy with extended breaks, may have exacerbated his physical woes, as it did for others like Ons Jabeur, who also retired on day one. Social media buzzed with concern, with posts noting Tsitsipas’s emotional candor: “This is going to be hard, but if health is not there, then your whole tennis life becomes miserable.”
As Tsitsipas, now ranked 26th, contemplates his next steps, his words carry weight: “I’ll definitely have to have my final answer on whether I want to do stuff or not in the next couple of months.” With the US Open looming, his fans hope for a recovery, but his heartbreaking admission signals a crossroads for a player once tipped to dominate the sport.
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