The Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, world No.3, retired on Wednesday in the 2nd round of the Masters 1000 in Paris due to a pain in his right arm when he was led 4-2 in the first set against the Australian Alexei Popyrin ( 71st).
“
I've had a little problem (in my arm) for a long time, and it's been increasing in the last few weeks, so I'm trying to protect it.
I felt the pain during the match, and I didn't want it to get worse,
”explained the Roland-Garros finalist without wanting to give details of the injury.
“
I had never given up a game in my life but today I have to.
I have to be careful in view of the next tournament which is the most important for me,
”he added, referring to the end-of-year Masters, scheduled for November 14-21 in Turin.
Third in the ATP Race standings, he has already qualified for this tournament which will bring together the eight best players of the season.
“It hurts a lot not to be able to play at the level that I wanted to play, at the level that I am expected to play. "
Stefanos Tsitsipas
“
I know how to treat (the injury). But when you play every day, train every day, that doesn't improve the situation. It's not easy to stop, especially when there are big tournaments like this. It hurts a lot not to be able to play at the level at which I wanted to play, at the level at which I am expected,
”he assured. “
I am going to undergo treatments, I will try to be treated by the best specialists, that they give me the best advice. I will do everything possible to recover and regain my level to 100%,
”he insisted.
Exempted from the first round because of his classification Tsitsipas made his entry into contention at Bercy.
He is the player with the most wins (55) on the circuit this season, ahead of Casper Ruud and Alexander Zverev (52), and Daniil Medvedev (50) who are still in the race at Bercy.
For his part, Popyrin, lucky loser, continues his journey and will face his Australian compatriot James Duckworth (55th) in the round of 16.
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