Stefanos Tsitsipas Withdraws from 2025 Shanghai Masters
Stefanos Tsitsipas‘s ongoing battle with injuries has hit another snag as he has pulled out of the 2025 Shanghai Masters due to a leg injury. The Greek tennis star, who holds the top ranking in his country, was set to make his return to competitive play on Saturday after a disappointing second-round exit at the 2025 US Open, where he was defeated by Daniel Altmaier. Unfortunately, his health has not allowed him to follow through on this plan.
Chronic Injuries and Future Concerns
Tsitsipas has been grappling with a chronic back issue that has plagued him for the past year and a half. This persistent problem resurfaced during the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, further complicating his season. His latest withdrawal adds a new layer of concern, as he had previously suggested at Wimbledon that if his back did not show significant improvement, retirement could be an option.
At 27 years old, the prospect of facing yet another injury has raised alarms about Tsitsipas’s future on the court. Fans and analysts alike hope this latest setback is not severe, allowing him to recover swiftly and return to competition without additional complications.
Upcoming Challenges and Financial Incentives
Adding to Tsitsipas’s stress is his upcoming participation in the 2025 Six Kings Slam, which kicks off on October 15. He steps in for Jack Draper, who had to end his season prematurely due to an arm injury. The tournament, which guarantees participants a payout of $1.5 million regardless of how far they advance, holds significant financial incentive. With players like Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic already receiving byes to the semifinals, even first-round losses could still result in lucrative compensation for those remaining.
Coaching Changes and Future Directions
Furthermore, Tsitsipas’s previous collaboration with former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic has come to an end, after a very brief working relationship during the grass court season. While their partnership showed initial promise, it ultimately failed to produce the desired results. Ivanisevic has since criticized Tsitsipas’s approach, claiming that despite Tsitsipas’s aspirations of achieving greatness, he has not made the necessary efforts to do so. He went as far as to suggest that Tsitsipas’s fitness level was lower than his own, despite their age difference.
In the wake of their split, Tsitsipas has decided to return to being coached by his father, a move that Ivanisevic has publicly supported, stating that no one understands Tsitsipas better than his family.
As the gap between Tsitsipas and younger rivals like Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner widens due to his injuries, the Greek player’s path to reclaiming his place at the top of the sport is becoming increasingly challenging.
