Stefanos Tsitsipas is set to get what will be his first and only title defence of the season at the Dubai Tennis Championships next week.
The Greek star found some success in the UAE during a largely disappointing campaign last year, winning the ATP 500 tournament after beating Felix Auger-Aliassime in the final.
Tsitsipas has recorded an indifferent start to his 2026 season so far, with a win-loss record of 7-3 at tour-level events.
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A big positive for the former world number three, however, is that he has stayed healthy in each appearance he has made, following an injury-ridden 2025.
Ahead of his campaign in Dubai, Tsitsipas was overcome with joy when issuing an update on his current fitness.
Stefanos Tsitsipas provides update on his back injury
Tsitsipas was sidelined for a large portion of last season with a back injury, but now he says the issue has gone.
In an interview with Tennis TV, Tsitsipas said: “I don’t think of my back anymore, and that’s an amazing thing to see.
“Waking up every day and having to think of any back-related issues, it’s fantastic. I could not ask for anything better right now.
“My health is the number one priority. It’s the most valued thing that I have in my life. I lost the other day in Doha, and of course, I was upset, I was a bit sad, I would have wished to go a bit deeper into the tournament, played a little bit more.
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“But I remember reflecting in my room, thinking at least I am healthy. At least I get to play and finish a whole match properly.
“That was something I was not quite certain of a few months ago. So to be able to see myself in a position finishing matches back-to-back, playing tournaments and constantly being able to go the whole way with it, it’s such a refreshing feeling.
“I am blessed, actually. I keep reminding myself that that is a very important, big step for me right now in my career.”
Stefanos Tsitsipas says he now feels ‘free’
Tsitsipas continued: “The thing is, I can just focus on my game right now. There are no external factors bothering me, getting into my mind.
“The back was a big one, and as much as I wanted to train and get out on the court, and practice and work hard, I was quite limited for a while in terms of my back.
“Now I feel much more free in terms of setting no boundaries and just going the whole way with it.
“I’m not having any physical toll on the work that I am putting in.”
Tsitsipas will face Ugo Humbert in the first match of his title defence at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
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