Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images

Stefanos Tsitsipas Retires Mid-Match in Wimbledon 2025 Opener; Valentin Royer Advances by Walkover

A tough Wimbledon 2025 opener ends in frustration and emotion for Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images

Wimbledon 2025 began on a rougher note for Stefanos Tsitsipas, who was forced to retire during his first-round match against French qualifier Valentin Royer due to a lingering back injury. Trailing 6-3, 6-2 after just 74 minutes on court, the 24th seed could no longer push through the pain, handing Royer a walkover into the second round.

Stefanos Tsitsipas retires from his first round match against Valentin Royer down 6-3 6-2.

Dealing with a back injury.

Hopefully he’s able to get fully healthy for the hard court season.

🇬🇷❤️‍🩹 pic.twitter.com/5NkMbT9T9p
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) June 30, 2025

“I’m Left Without Answers”: Tsitsipas Opens Up on Physical Struggles

After the match, the former world No. 3 opened up about the toll of his recurring back issues, admitting he’s running out of answers despite extensive efforts in rehab and training.

“I’m battling many wars these days. It’s really painful to see myself in a situation like this,” Tsitsipas said. “I feel like I’m left without answers. I don’t know. I’ve tried everything. “I’ve done an incredible job with my fitness. I’ve done an incredible job with my physiotherapy, so I’ve maximized on everything that I possibly can do. Right now, I’m just absolutely left with no answers.” (via the ESPN)

Medical time out for Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Issue with lower back area.

Valentin Royer to serve next at 4-1 up in set 2. pic.twitter.com/hXYE6Mh2wp
— edgeAI (@edgeAIapp) June 30, 2025

The 26-year-old, who has been dealing with back pain since pulling out of the 2023 ATP Finals, appeared physically limited throughout the match, landing just 43% of his first serves and visibly struggling with movement. Even a medical timeout in the second set did little to improve his condition.

“It’s probably the most difficult situation that I’ve ever been faced with,” he added. “Because it’s an ongoing issue that doesn’t seem to be disappearing or fading. I have a limit at some point, so I’ll definitely have to have my final answer on whether I want to do stuff or not in the next couple of months.” (via the ESPN)

Stefanos Tsitsipas says he’s been trying everything to get healthy, but he’s out of answers, ‘If I see it continue like this, there's no point in competing’

"It's hard to describe. I'm fighting a lot of wars these days. It's really painful to find myself in a situation like… pic.twitter.com/ouINpfuv6k
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) June 30, 2025

The withdrawal also marks a tough blow just as Tsitsipas had started working with Goran Ivanisevic, Novak Djokovic’s former coach. Last week, Jannik Sinner’s coach, Darren Cahill, had hinted at Tsitsipas’ discomfort during practice, signs that now seem more serious than expected. As it turns out, he could be correct.

Royer, ranked No. 154, moves into the second round of a Slam for the first time in his career, though certainly not the way he would have wanted it. In the next round, he will clash with qualifier Adrian Mannarino, who upset Christopher O’Connell in straight sets.

Mandatory Image Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images

Stefanos Tsitsipas

Wimbledon 2025

Rudra Dubey

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I’m an academic turned sports writer from Raipur, India, specializing in the NFL, MMA, and tennis at The Playoffs. I previously wrote for Sportskeeda and hold a B.A. and M.A. in History. My journey into sports media began far from the field, rooted in the arts and sciences. Funny enough, I didn’t grow up a sports fan; I used to see it all as just noise. But a fateful writing job introduced me to the world of sports, and what began as a gig quickly became a passion. I understood those voices aren’t noise; they’re emotions of true sports fans, and now I am one of them, writing with the same energy I once questioned.