Worries Rise For Stefanos Tsitsipas Amidst Elbow Woes Ahead of Australian Open 2022

Stefanos Tsitsipas, the World No. 4, has pulled out of the ATP Cup owing to a persistent elbow problem. The 23-year-old was planning to play in the ATP Cup for his nation.

However, he has now retired from his first match in the tournament against Polish World No. 9 Hubert Hurkacz. Additionally, the match would have been the second-round match-up for the Greek team.

Nagging elbow woes spell worry for Stefanos Tsitsipas

This is not the first time Stefanos Tsitsipas has run into problems with his elbow. Only recently in November, the Greek underwent surgery on his right elbow after a group-stage exit at the Nitto ATP Finals.

Subsequently, the tennis world expected the Greek youngster to return healthy and ready for the Australian summer of tennis. His match against Hurkacz in the ATP Cup would have been his first match in two months. However, that will not come to be, as the Greek has withdrawn from the ATP Cup altogether.

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It was certainly a worrisome sight as the star applied an ice pack to his right elbow in Sydney. Consequently, Aristotelis Thanos has now replaced Stefanos Tsitsipas in the second-round match for Greece against Poland.

However, when asked about the elbow and what it might mean for his campaign ahead of the ATP Cup, Tsitsipas was quite calm. “The recovery from my elbow surgery in November is on track for Melbourne,” Tsitsipas stated.

“Today was a precautionary step to make sure I make (it to) Melbourne,” he said, downplaying concerns.

Tsitsipas is looking to for his first Grand Slam break

Even though Stefanos Tsitsipas has not yet won a single Grand Slam, his hunt continues fervently forward. At the Australian Open 2022, the Greek looked poised to be one of the potential favorites to win it all.

Of course, the uncertainty around defending champion Novak Djokovic‘s participation exponentially increases his chances of winning the major as well.

However, Stefanos’ attitude is clear as he heads into the summer of tennis- “We will see day by day, match by match until then,” he said while addressing his elbow woes ahead of the ATP Cup.

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