Stefanos Tsitsipas withdraws from Davis Cup tie against Serbia

Currently experiencing a slump in his career, Greek tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas has announced his withdrawal from his nation's upcoming tie against the Novak Djokovic-led Serbia.

Tsitsipas suffered a first round loss to Thanasis Kokkinakis at the 2024 US Open, during which he picked up a back injury. The former World No.3 has had a subpar second half of the season, winning only one out of four matches since the Olympic Games. He parted ways with his father Apostolos as coach following the Canadian Open a few weeks ago, and subsequently suffered his earliest Grand Slam exit in two years when he fell to Kokkinakis.

The Greek national team will be without their superstar leader, as Tsitsipas announced on Thursday that he will no longer be able to compete at the Davis Cup Group I stage tie against Serbia next week.

“The voice of my heart advised me to strengthen the National team once more," Tsitsipas said in a statement published by SDNA. "However, the voice of my body forcefully forbids me from competing in the Davis Cup match with Serbia.
“The back injury I received from participating in the US Open requires me to follow a special rehabilitation program in order to recover on the courts as soon as possible. It is with great regret that I announce my decision not to compete next week in Belgrade."

Tsitsipas is scheduled to return to action later this month at the Laver Cup in Germany, which runs from September 20-22, 2024.