“Of course I didn’t want to win the game that way,” said Rune after the game. “But you noticed from your first service game that something was wrong,” said the Dane, coached by Boris Becker. Tsitsipas initially appeared to have problems with his elbow.
After giving up, Tsitsipas said he had “terrible pain” in his back. “I’m really disappointed that I wasn’t able to finish the match,” said the Greek, who will also not play in his final group game against Serbian Novak Djokovic on Thursday.
“But that’s tennis. This isn’t darts. It’s important for me that I’m fit and feel comfortable with my back.” The Pole Hubert Hurkacz is replacing Tsitsipas, but he no longer has a chance of progressing.
ATP Finals: Tsitsipas gives up after 17 minutes
The Dane Holger Rune won his first victory at the ATP Finals in Turin in an unusual way. Rune’s opponent Stefanos Tsitsipas had to give up due to an injury in the first set on Tuesday when the score was 1:2. After just 17 minutes, the game at the Pala Alpitour was over, and the spectators whistled to acknowledge the Greek’s quick submission. There was general astonishment.
After his first game on Sunday, when he lost in two sets against the Italian Jannik Sinner, Tsitsipas said he was fit and had no problems. In the run-up to the ATP finals, there had already been speculation about Tsitsipas’ health.
Criticism of Alcaraz after defeat
The Spaniard Alcaraz was also upset after his opening defeat against Alexander Zverev. While the German celebrated, Alcaraz then complained about what he saw as being far too fast. “I don’t know why they choose such a surface at the end of the year,” said Alcaraz in Turin. “All the tournaments we play on hard courts are so slow, and then we come to the Masters and they do it so fast,” the 20-year-old said angrily.
Current ATP tournaments
Despite the defeat against the two-time ATP Finals winner Zverev, the Wimbledon winner still has a chance of promotion. “This tournament is different for many reasons, one being that you can still advance to the semifinals despite losing in the first match,” Alcaraz later posted on Instagram. His next match against Andrei Rublev is a duel between two losers. The Russian had no chance in the evening match against his compatriot Daniil Medvedev with a score of 4:6 2:6.
Zverev’s fall brings back memories
In any case, Zverev and Medvedev were happy about a successful start. “I’m happy to be here again. I’m happy that I have my first win under my belt,” said Zverev, who was injured last year and hit 16 aces against Alcaraz.
In the third set, however, the German had to survive a moment of shock. The 26-year-old twisted and fell to the ground. A murmur went through the audience and memories of his serious injury at the French Open 2022 were briefly awakened. But he got up again, delivered his service and won the match.
Vienna finalist Medvedev had little trouble making it 7-2 in the head-to-head with Rublev, especially after the first set against his daughter’s godfather and good friend. “It felt good and I was able to quickly gain an advantage,” said Medvedev.
ATP-Finals in Turin
(Italy, hard court, hall)
Red group
Table: 1. Daniil Medvedev (RUS/3) 1 2:0 1 2. Alexander Zverev (GER/7) 1 2:1 1 3. Carlos Alcaraz (ESP/2) 1 1:2 0 4. Andrej Rublev (RUS /5) 1 0:2 0 Schedule: Alexander Zverev (GER/7) Carlos Alcaraz (ESP/2) 6:7 (3/7) 6:3 6:4 Daniil Medvedev (RUS/3) Andrej Rublev (RUS/ 5) 6:4 6:2 Carlos Alcaraz (ESP/2) Andrej Rublew (RUS/5) -:- -:- Daniil Medvedev (RUS/3) Alexander Zverev (GER/7) -:- -:-
Green group
Table: 1. Jannik Sinner (ITA/4) 2 4:1 2 2. Holger Rune (DEN/8) 2 3:2 1 3. Novak Djokovic (SRB/1) 2 3:3 1 4. Hubert Hurkacz (POL /9) * 0 0:0 0 5. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE/6) 2 0:4 0
* Replacement for Tsitsipas
Schedule: Jannik Sinner (ITA/4) Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE/6) 6:4 6:4 Novak Djokovic (SRB/1) Holger Rune (DEN/8) 7:6 (7/4) 6:7 (1/ 7) 6:3 Holger Rune (DEN/8) Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE/6) 2:1 ret. Jannik Sinner (ITA/4) Novak Djokovic (SRB/1) 7:5 6:7 (5/7) 7:6 (7/2)
