In a surprising turn of events at the ATP Finals in Turin, Greek tennis sensation Stefanos Tsitsipas withdrew from his second match against Holger Rune after just three games, leaving the court amidst a chorus of whistles and jeers.
Tsitsipas’s Early Exit Raises Eyebrows Amidst Fitness Concerns
The anticipation surrounding Tsitsipas’s performance had been marked by pre-tournament doubts about his fitness. Despite an initial loss to Jannik Sinner, Tsitsipas seemed untroubled. However, during the second match against Rune, concerns escalated as Tsitsipas visibly struggled, barely moving during the crucial third game. Seated gingerly on his bench at a 2-1 disadvantage, Tsitsipas called for the trainer.
Injury Forces Tsitsipas to Concede Mid-Match to Rune
Following a brief consultation with the trainer, Tsitsipas made the difficult decision to retire from the match. As he shook hands with Rune, disappointment echoed through the crowd in the form of jeers and whistles. The unexpected exit handed Rune his first victory at the prestigious tournament, marking a turnaround for the 20-year-old Dane after a narrow loss to Novak Djokovic in his opening match.
Rune Acknowledges Tsitsipas’s Struggles and Wishes Him Well
Expressing his sympathy, Rune commented on Amazon Prime Video, “It was very unfortunate. I think we could all see in his first service game that he wasn’t serving anywhere near full. For sure I knew something was up. We play a long season, and it’s important to take care of the body. I wish him all the best.”
The incident not only underscored the physical toll of a demanding tennis season but also added an unexpected twist to the ATP Finals in Turin. As the tournament progresses, the focus now shifts to Holger Rune’s performance and Stefanos Tsitsipas’s road to recovery.
