Stefanos Tsitsipas shot down reports this week claiming he’d gone under the knife for back surgery. The Greek tennis star took to Instagram to set the record straight after Greek media outlets reported he’d had an operation.
"I have not undergone back surgery and I am doing well," Tsitsipas wrote to his followers.
But let’s be honest – things haven’t been going great for the 27-year-old lately.
| Name | Age | Points | Stats 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stefanos Tsitsipas | 27 | 3,740 | 28 - 10 |
A Rough Year Gets Rougher
Tsitsipas has barely been able to stay on court this year. His back problems have been pretty serious, forcing him to retire from his first-round match at Wimbledon. That’s not something any professional player wants to deal with.
The injury issues are real. At the recent Davis Cup, he reportedly needed injections just to finish his match against Joao Fonseca.
And it’s not just the physical stuff that’s been tough.
Tsitsipas tried working with Goran Ivanisevic as his new coach, but that didn’t last long. He’s back to having his father coach him again – a move that raised some eyebrows in tennis circles.
When credible Greek sources started reporting he’d had surgery, it actually made sense given everything he’s been dealing with.
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Here’s the thing though – even if Tsitsipas says he didn’t have surgery, his recent moves tell a different story.
He just withdrew from the China Open in Beijing, where he was supposed to compete. That’s an ATP 500 event, which means serious ranking points and prize money.
No healthy player just skips that kind of tournament.
The timing is interesting too. Tsitsipas replaced injured Jack Draper at the Six Kings Slam exhibition event in Saudi Arabia. He’ll pocket $1.5 million just for showing up to that one.
The Beijing tournament runs from September 25th to October 1st. The Six Kings Slam doesn’t start until October 15th.
So it’s not like the events overlap. But Tsitsipas probably doesn’t want to push his body too hard before the Shanghai Masters and then that big payday in Riyadh.
“Dear friends and supporters, In light of recent reports, I would like to clarify that I have not undergone back surgery and I am doing well. I am deeply grateful for your kind messages and continued support. Your concern means a great deal to me.”
The Greek star’s Instagram post was pretty straightforward. But between the lines, you can read that he’s still dealing with some serious physical issues.
Whether it’s surgery or just ongoing treatment, Tsitsipas clearly isn’t at 100%. His team is probably being extra careful about which tournaments to enter and which ones to skip.
That’s smart thinking for a player who’s had such a frustrating year with injuries. Sometimes the best move is to rest up and come back stronger rather than push through and make things worse.
