Stefanos Tsitsipas was forced to retire in his second match at the 2023 ATP Finals against Holger Rune as he struggled with an injury.
The Greek player entered the 2023 ATP Finals with high hopes, as he managed to win the year-end competition before, on his debut back in 2019. However, this time around, he didn't have very good form coming into the event.
However, already before the tournament started, there were reports that Tsitsipas was struggling with an injury, as he reportedly abandoned two practices. Then, in his first match at the tournament, he lost to Jannik Sinner in straight sets.
But after the match, Tsitsipas refuted any injury rumors, but now we probably know why. The Greek certainly hoped that he could push through, and didn't want to give his opponents an advantage by talking about the injury, but he was eventually unable to play.
Coming into his second match, this time against Holger Rune who lost to Novak Djokovic in his opener, Tsitsipas needed a win as any other result would almost certainly mean that the would be out of the tournament.
The Greek had two break points in the opening game of the match, but those remained unused. After that, he has held his service, as did his opponent, and fans were getting ready for another dramatic match in Turin.
Yet, that didn't happen as Tsitsipas retired after the third match, giving Rune his maiden victory at the ATP Finals, and one that will be crucial in his match against Jannik Sinner, as it can be the decisive win that sends him to the semifinals.
On the other hand, Tsitsipas will very likely withdraw from the tournament, meaning that Hubert Hurkacz, who has already practiced on the courts in Turin, will probably step in as an alternate.
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