WATCH: Stefanos Tsitsipas explains the reason for his retirement after 15 minutes against Holger Rune at the 2023 ATP Finals

Stefanos Tsitsipas had previously retired from the ATP Finals in 2021 as well.

WATCH: Stefanos Tsitsipas explains the reason for his retirement after 15 minutes against Holger Rune at the 2023 ATP Finals

Stefanos Tsitsipas(Image via @TennisChannel/X)

World No. 6 Stefanos Tsitsipas opened up about the reason he had to retire from the round-robin match of the ATP Finals against Holger Rune. He admitted that he had immense pain in his back even during the warmup before the match. This led to him retiring from the match merely 15 minutes after it began.

Tsitsipas had entered the ATP Final with the hope of securing a second title at the event. He had an impressive title-winning stint at the 2019 version of the season-ender. However, the 2023 season did not prove to be a remake of the 2019 year-ender.

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He had a bad start to the event by handing over an easy two-set win to home hero Jannik Sinner with a score 6-4, 6-4. However, he had returned to the court to make up for that failed result. Unfortunately for the Greek, his hopes were crushed within just 15 minutes of the game. This withdrawal came in clutch for his Danish opponent after his exhausting three setter loss to World No.1 Novak Djokovic.

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When asked to elaborate on the reason for his withdrawal, he had an in-depth answer for the press. 

Last few days, I didn't spend a lot of time on the court. I had a bit of trouble with my movement and it mainly affected when I move. This is tennis, it's not darts. So for me it is important to feel fit and feel good with my back.

Tennis is a sport which requires quick movements and reflexes. Therefore, being in pain any time a player moves is not an ideal condition for them.

He also admitted that the pain was too much to handle. While pain during matches was commonplace for the Greek tennis professional, he was disappointed that the pain during the match was much more than he could take.

Stefanos Tsitsipas confirms withdrawal from the ATP Finals

When asked if this indicated his withdrawal from the tournament, the former World No.3 had a disheartening answer. 

The tour is very demanding and we get to play a lot of matches during the year.

He was also particular in saying that none of the matches played during the season are considered easy.

Stefanos Tsitsipas
Stefanos Tsitsipas(Image via Adidas News)

Tsitsipas also declared that the reason why the matches were never easy was because of the lack of rest between the matches. He also admitted that he was doing his best to hunt for points and for wins. 

It's very unfortunate. I have had two editions here in Turin where I had to withdraw form the tournament.

The World No. 6 player also established that it was on very few occasions when he had to withdraw from the tournaments. He was also regretful that he could not compete at the level he wanted to. Th Greek ace also emphasized that this was one of the few most important tournaments to him, including the Grand Slams.

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