Tsitsipas, raring to go in Perth, reveals his ‘largest want for 2026’

United Cup

Tsitsipas, raring to go in Perth, reveals his ‘largest want for 2026’

Former World No. 3 to steer Crew Greece alongside Sakkari at United Cup

January 01, 2026

Stefanos Tsitsipas is filled with renewed vigour as he chases a contemporary begin in 2026.

The previous No. 3 within the PIF ATP Rankings struggled with a again harm within the second half of the 2025 season and didn’t compete once more after enjoying two singles rubbers for Greece within the Davis Cup in September. Tsitsipas stepped away to deal with therapeutic and is now feeling rested and refreshed in Perth, the place he’s getting ready to symbolize Crew Greece on the season-opening United Cup.

“I did spend a while recovering. I used to be absent from the courts for a very long time,” mirrored Tsitsipas on Thursday at Crew Greece’s pre-tournament press convention. “The final three or 4 tournaments of the season I may barely maintain up. So it was necessary to attempt to discover one thing that may convey me again once more wholesome.

“I did all the mandatory actions and took all the mandatory steps to rehabilitate and get again to what I bear in mind myself being again at. So now to this point I believe it makes for excellent suggestions, realizing that I’ve performed my entire pre-season with none ache, with none discomfort. I am simply hoping that stays this fashion and I can ship that beginning with United Cup and hopefully for the 2026 season.”

A 12-time tour-level champion, Tsitsipas went 22-16 in 2025, in keeping with the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. The 27-year-old has been making an attempt to rebuild the bodily basis on which his explosive recreation has all the time been based mostly.

“The factor that I am most enthusiastic about is making an attempt to see my precise coaching that I have been placing within the final couple of weeks and the way it responds with regard additionally to my again, as a result of my largest concern has been: can I really end a match?” he mentioned. “That was what was going by way of my thoughts the previous six to eight months. I used to be always considering, ‘If I win a match, will I be capable of come again the subsequent day and play one other match with out ache?

“I acquired actually scared after my US Open loss with my again, as a result of I simply could not stroll for 2 days. When issues like that occur, you begin reconsidering the way forward for your profession. I am simply hoping 2026 would not convey any of that. I went to really go to probably the greatest sports activities medical doctors on this planet, and he to this point is promising to heal me. I am hoping this stays for 2026. That is my largest want for 2026, is to complete matches and never have to consider any points concerning my again.”

Tstisipas’ first opponent of 2026 will probably be Shintaro Mochizuki. The pair’s maiden Lexus ATP Head2Head conflict will observe a heavyweight WTA assembly between Maria Sakkari and Naomi Osaka as Crew Greece and Crew Japan face off in Friday’s night time session at RAC Enviornment.

“We have performed right here loads of instances. Perth looks as if it is changing into a part of one of many largest cities of Greece little by little,” mentioned Tsitsipas. “I am glad that we’re again. It is a good way to start out the season. Could not ask for something higher proper now, actually.

“I am actually hoping each one in every of our teammates is prepared and ready for conflict. We’re going huge. We’re fighters. We’re Greek, so we will attempt to take advantage of out of it.”

Tsitsipas additionally weighed in on renewing his blended doubles partnership with Sakkari, herself a former World No. 3 singles participant.

“I could not ask for a greater accomplice to play blended doubles with,” mentioned the Greek ATP Tour star. “I’ve identified Maria for a really very long time. I really feel like our blended doubles matches have constructed a number of belief and confidence in what we’re good at and what we’re not so good at. Clearly there is a tradeoff. We all know our strengths. We all know our weaknesses. We attempt to use that sort of data to attempt to provide you with the perfect doubles technique and plan every time we now have the possibility to play.

“Really, reflecting on it, we have had so many superb comebacks, but in addition appearances, together with the Olympics. Eager about it, 15 years in the past I might by no means have pictured myself in a scenario like this the place I get to be on prime of the sport that I really like probably the most with the feminine equal from my nation.”