ATP Finals: Tsitsipas Sacked by Rune in Unusual Fashion
In a surprising turn of events, Holger Rune snatched his first victory at the ATP Finals in Turin, forcing Stefanos Tsitsipas to retire early due to an injury.
The match at the Pala Alpitour, coached by Boris Becker, ended swiftly as Tsitsipas announced his withdrawal during the first set, trailing 1-2. Fans in attendance responded with whistles, acknowledging the Greek player's abrupt retirement.
In a post-match interview, Rune expressed his mixed emotions about the victory, "Of course, I didn't wish to win like this, but it was obvious from his first service game that something wasn't right." Tsitsipas appeared to be grappling with elbow issues.
Following his loss against Jannik Sinner in two sets at the ATP Finals, Tsitsipas had claimed to be fit without reports of any impediments. There had been speculation about his health leading up to the tournament.
Rune's significant achievement marked his first win at this prestigious tournament, thriving amidst unusual circumstances.
Though the ATP Finals resulted in an early finish due to Tsitsipas' elbow injury, the Greek player boasts an impressive tennis record, notably bagging the ATP Finals title in 2019.
Enrichment Data:
Tsitsipas has not publicly acknowledged any recent injuries affecting his performance at the ATP Finals. However, he experienced a series of setbacks in his recent events:
- Australian Open 2025: Tsitsipas succumbed to a shocking defeat to Alex Michelsen in the tournament's initial round. This setback marked one of his poorest Grand Slam performances in his career thus far.[4]
- Rotterdam 2025: Despite receiving a wildcard entry into the ABN AMRO Open, Tsitsipas suffered a surprising loss to Mattia Bellucci in the quarterfinals. The Greek player attributed his loss to a combination of mental and physical exhaustion, describing his mind as "foggy" and facing difficulty seeing clearly during the match.[1][5]
- Preparation and Motivation: Tsitsipas has been optimistic about his preparation and motivation for the upcoming seasons. Inspired by his girlfriend Paula Badosa's recent performances, he has also prioritized his fitness, feeling rejuvenated and eager to deliver a compelling comeback in major tournaments.[4]
In summary, while there are no specific references to injuries impacting his performance at the ATP Finals, Tsitsipas has faced challenges in recent tournaments, including a defeat at the Australian Open and a surprising quarterfinals loss in Rotterdam. Despite these setbacks, he retains confidence in his preparation and returns to the court with renewed motivation, hoping for a stronger performance in the upcoming tournament seasons.
