Stefanos Tsitsipas Opens Up About Mental and Physical Challenges
Stefanos Tsitsipas has candidly opened up about his ongoing mental and physical challenges, which have significantly impacted his performance in tennis over the past several years. His latest struggle became apparent during the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, where he had to withdraw from his first-round encounter against Valentin Royer due to persistent lower-back issues. This injury has plagued him consistently, and despite securing a renowned coach like Goran Ivanisevic, who has a storied history at Wimbledon, Tsitsipas saw his tournament dreams dashed early.
Mental State and Anxiety
Reflecting on his mental state ahead of the tournament in an intimate pre-event interview, the Greek tennis star, currently ranked No. 1 in Greece, revealed the toll that anxiety has taken on his game.
“Over the past couple of years—particularly the last two—I have felt overwhelmed with stress and anxiety, and I’m just starting to understand how this affects my performance. It no longer feels like me when I’m out there on the court,”
he explained.
Acknowledging that the pressures of being a professional athlete often exacerbate these feelings, Tsitsipas noted that the exhausting travel schedule and frequent time-zone changes contribute to a perpetual sense of chaos. His discussions with Ivanisevic have centered around these pressures and the necessary adjustments to cope better.
“Life on tour is chaotic, and after years of this lifestyle, it’s natural to hit a point of burnout. I have played a record number of matches and tournaments, which takes its toll,”
he said.
Frustration Over Ongoing Back Problems
Following his withdrawal from Wimbledon, the 25-year-old athlete expressed deep frustration over his ongoing back problems, which began in 2023. Acknowledging the severity of his situation, he stated,
“This is the toughest challenge I’ve faced. It’s an ongoing problem, and if I cannot compete due to my health, it calls into question my entire tennis career. My health is paramount; otherwise, the sport becomes unbearable.”
Tsitsipas elaborated during a focused segment of the press conference, speaking in Greek, that he hopes to give his injury some time to heal, yet he intends to reassess his future if frequent match retirements continue.
“If this injury doesn’t allow me to complete my matches, I will have my answer—I cannot continue playing tennis indefinitely. I’ll need to make a vital decision in the next months about my future in the sport,”
he concluded. Tsitsipas’s vulnerability shines a light on the often-hidden mental struggles faced by athletes and raises questions about the sustainability of life as a professional player amidst such pressures.
