Stefanos Tsitsipas goes into the first ATP Masters 1000 event of the year in Indian Wells as number two. However, expectations are extremely low for the Greek with a shoulder injury.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edited: 03/10/2023, 05:21
As loud as the 2023 season started for Stefanos Tsitsipas – above all, of course, with the final at the Australian Open – it has recently become so quiet about the Greek. The third in the world rankings has only played one tournament since his second Grand Slam final participation, where he suffered a clear defeat against a relaxed Jannik Sinner in the round of 16.
As a result, the 24-year-old had to cancel the planned appearance in Acapulco. At least now it was clear: The Greeks are not at 100 percent. Tsitsipas has now openly addressed this himself. In the run-up to the ATP Masters 1000 event in Indian Wells, Tsitsipas is number two in the tournament, the third in the world rankings explained that he was going into the first Masters 1000 tournament of the year with low expectations.
Tsitsipas without expectations
“I promised myself I wouldn’t miss these two upcoming tournaments. But I’m still recovering and I won’t fool myself that I have a chance to do well in the next two tournaments because that would be wrong.” , explained the Greek in the obligatory press conference before the start of the tournament. “I haven’t said that often in my career but I don’t think I’ll be able to go far. The priority is to prepare my body for clay.”
For the 24-year-old, this injury is naturally inconvenient, as Tsitsipas emphasized. “It’s a very unfortunate injury at this time of year because I’ve started the season very well,” said the Greek, only to feel some hope: “We’ve seen it with some champions like Rafael Nadal who struggled with injuries for a long time but can still play at a very good level.” Tsitsipas opens against Jordan Thompson in Indian Wells on Friday.
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