Stefanos Tsitsipas is making a bold statement. The Greek has hit headlines plenty this season, and not always for the right reasons. Early exits, coaching drama with ex-coach Goran Ivanisevic, and his split with WTA star Paula Badosa. 2025 hasn’t been smooth sailing, but Tsitsipas is holding his head high. Some might see an opening to drag him down. The former World No. 3 isn’t having it.
A few days ago, a Greek news site sparked a stir last week with claims Tsitsipas had lower back surgery. It even specified a colectomy last Thursday. Reports suggested he could miss two to six weeks, throwing his Asian swing in doubt. Even his planned spot at the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia, where he was set to replace Jack Draper, looked shaky. Fans feared the worst.
But now, Stefanos Tsitsipas quickly shut it down. On Monday, September 22, he took to Instagram. “Dear friends and supporters, In light of recent reports, I would like to clarify that I have not undergone back surgery and I am doing well. I am deeply grateful for your kind messages and continued support. Your concern means a great deal to me.” With that, the fake surgery story collapsed.
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False surgery claims aside, Stefanos Tsitsipas’ back is no secret battle. It has haunted him for years. Earlier this month, the 2021 French Open and 2023 Australian Open runner-up admitted he’s still searching for answers. The struggle is ongoing. The injury refuses to let go.
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At Wimbledon, it all boiled over in round one. Tsitsipas was forced to retire mid-match because of, you guessed it, his back. “It’s something that I’ve been dealing with for many years now, my lower left side back,” he said at the All England Club. “It’s exactly what Arthur Fils went through the last couple of weeks playing at (Roland Garros). I feel like it can be a very tricky injury. This is going to be hard, but if I see it going in that trajectory, there is no point at competing. I’ve talked about health so many times… If health is not there, then your whole tennis life becomes miserable.”
The spiral, Stefanos Tsitsipas said, traces back to the 2023 Nitto ATP Finals. Burnout and injury collided. Despite medical clearance, he retired after just three games against Holger Rune. That moment kicked off the cycle he still battles. And surgery? He crushed that rumor, too. “No, surgery would definitely not be an option. The damage has been done already.”
Crisis averted, Tsitsipas can shift focus back to tournaments. He’s rested after a draining Davis Cup run with Team Greece. Fans missed him at Laver Cup, where he’s been a Team Europe staple four times, and he missed the action too!
Stefanos Tsitsipas shares iconic throwback from the past Laver Cup!
On September 19, while the 2025 Laver Cup was kicking off in San Francisco, Stefanos had some fun on X, dropping a post that instantly caught attention. With the caption “Mentally, I’m still here,” he shared a pair of photos, one of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at the 2022 Laver Cup, the other of himself fast asleep beside his racket. The 27-year-old may be dealing with injury and surgery, but he clearly hasn’t lost his playful spark.
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No surprise he went back to the Laver Cup for this one. That stage has always been full of laughter and bonding with the game’s greats. Rafa even joined in on the nostalgia, sharing his memory of a 2019 doubles clash. He and Stefanos tried syncing signals against Nick Kyrgios and Jack Sock, and the result had the whole bench, including Federer, bursting into laughter. In the video shared by Nadal, looking baffled at Stef’s mixed signals, Rafa cut through the confusion with a line that made history: “Any finger, you cross!” The reaction? Pure chaos, with Team Europe laughing in the corner as fans watched the fun unfold.
Now the focus is back on the present, and the updates look brighter. Surgery rumors are dismissed, and Stefanos Tsitsipas is signed up to compete in Beijing next week at the ATP 500. It marks the start of his Asian swing, and if the timing is right, this could be where he shines. What do you think?