Stefanos Tsitsipas’ disappointing season finally came to an end after pulling out of one of the final events in 2025.
Tsitsipas withdrew from the Hellenic Championship, a new-look ATP 250 tournament in Athens that he was scheduled to headline alongside Novak Djokovic.
The Greek star has recorded one of his worst seasons on the tour this year and has fallen to 34th in the ATP rankings, which, at the moment, will see him unseeded at the 2026 Australian Open.
He has been dealing with back pain throughout his 2025 campaign, which recently saw him sidelined for both the Shanghai Masters and the ongoing Paris Masters.
Now, Tsitsipas has taken to social media to explain his withdrawal from the inaugural edition of his home competition.
Stefanos Tsitsipas updates fans on his withdrawal from Athens
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the former world number three said: “Hi everyone, I’m sad to announce that I won’t be competing at the Hellenic Championship in Athens.
“My doctor advised me to rest and focus on recovery to be ready for the 2026 season.
“I want to thank the organisers for bringing this amazing event to Greece. It’s disappointing to miss it, but it’s the right choice for my health. I’ll be back stronger.
“Thank you all for your support.”
Tsitsipas’ last tour-level appearance came at the US Open in the summer, where he bowed out in the second round to Daniel Altmaier.
He then represented Greece in their tie with Brazil at the Davis Cup in September and won one match against Thiago Seyboth Wild, but lost a decisive clash with Joao Fonseca.
The 27-year-old also briefly featured at the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia earlier this month, where he lasted just 76 minutes before being knocked out by Jannik Sinner.
The ATP stars competing at the inaugural Hellenic Championship
Seeded first at the Hellenic Championship is Djokovic, who is seeking to clinch his 101st ATP title, and will enter the tournament as the heavy favourite.
A late entrant into the event is Lorenzo Musetti, who will look to keep his ATP Finals hopes alive in Athens after losing his first match at the Paris Masters.
Musetti remains eighth in the ‘Race to Turin’, but is now feeling the pressure put on him by Felix Auger-Aliassime, who closed in on the Italian’s live points tally after advancing to the semifinals in Paris.
Also in the main draw of the Hellenic Championship is 24-year-old American star Brandon Nakashima, who has yet to add to his title tally since emerging victorious in San Diego in 2022.
Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka received a wildcard for the competition and will face Botic van de Zandschulp in his opening match.
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