Greg Rusedski defends the crowd for booing Stefanos Tsitsipas following his withdrawal against Holger Rune at the 2023 ATP Finals

The Greek ace has also pulled out of the tournament and has been replaced by Hubert Hurkacz.

Greg Rusedski defends the crowd for booing Stefanos Tsitsipas following his withdrawal against Holger Rune at the 2023 ATP Finals

Stefanos Tsitsipas (L), Greg Rusedski (R) (Sources: Tennis365, Sky Sports)

Greek tennis player Stefanos Tsitsipas had to retire three games into his second match of the 2023 ATP Finals against Holger Rune due to a back pain. The player has also pulled out of the tournament and he has been replaced by Polish international Hubert Hurkacz.

After pulling out of the tournament, Stefanos Tsitsipas revealed that he had paid multiple visits to the doctor and they had given him the green signal to go and try it for himself. 

YouTube video

Tsitsipas was booed heavily after his withdrawal against Holger Rune. Former British-Canadian tennis player Greg Rusedski has defended the crowd, saying that it was understandable as the Greek did not play a lot of tennis. The fans paid their hard-earned money for the tickets and they could see only three games. They would obviously be mad. 

FS Video
I can understand why he was booed off the court because he didn't play a lot of tennis. We're in Italy, they're going to boo you. I don't blame them, to be honest with you. If I were a spectator who had paid for my ticket, I think I would have had the same reaction. I think a half refund would have been a good thing, because let's be honest, people are coming for the singles match.
Rusedski via Amazon Prime

The Greek was losing the first set 2-1 when he decided to walkover. Tsitsipas also lost his first match of the tournament against Jannik Sinner in straight sets and looked very uncharacteristic of himself in that match as well. The World No. 6 is glad to have been able to give that spot to Hurkacz, as at least he will try to do something with it. 

Stefanos Tsitsipas says he hates retiring from matches 

Tsitsipas apologized to the fans after the match, who came to support him and watch his match. He said that he felt terrible on the court and despite doing everything he could to be ready and fit for the match; it didn’t quite work out. The World No. 6 further went on to say that he hates retiring from matches. 

Stefanos Tsitsipas
Stefanos Tsitsipas (Source: CNN)
I hate retiring from matches. I’m not the kind of person that likes leaving mid match. It kills me not to be able to finish this tournament, he one that I've prepped for so long, made sure that I'm completely fit to perform at my best and show my capacities as a player.

The 2019 ATP Finals winner also revealed that due to his back injury, he did not spend a lot of time on court in the past few days. 

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