Stefanos Tsitsipas retired mid-match on Day 1 of Wimbledon, citing his chronic back issues, and now faces an uncertain future in tennis.
The former world No. 3, currently ranked No. 26, expressed frustration and desperation, feeling he's "hit his limit" in dealing with the injury.
What happened at Wimbledon?
Stefanos Tsitsipas, the No. 24 seed, trailed by a set against French qualifier Valentin Royer when his back issues flared up, forcing him to take a medical timeout.
He continued to compete despite struggling with movement, but eventually retired, handing Royer his first tour-level victory.
The injury's impact on Stefanos Tsitsipas
The Greek star's back injury has been ongoing since the 2023 Nitto ATP Finals, where he was forced to retire after just three games against Holger Rune.
Stefanos Tsitsipas has tried various treatments, including physiotherapy, but feels he's "maximized on everything" and is now left with "no answers".
The future of Stefanos Tsitsipas' tennis career
Stefanos Tsitsipas has ruled out surgical intervention, stating "the damage has been done already", and is now reconsidering his tennis future.
He reflected on his pre-tournament practice, where he felt physically fine, but the injury's persistence has taken a toll on his motivation.
Stefanos Tsitsipas' last back-to-back match wins at a Grand Slam were at the 2024 Roland Garros QF, over a year ago.
The 26-year-old's ranking has slipped, and he's struggling to stay healthy, making his future in tennis uncertain.
And with no clear solution in sight, Stefanos Tsitsipas is faced with a difficult decision about his tennis career.
But for now, the Greek star's future remains unclear, leaving fans and supporters waiting with bated breath.
So the question on everyone's mind is: what's next for Stefanos Tsitsipas?