Tsitsipas Retires in Wimbledon First Round Back Injury

Stefanos Tsitsipas, the 24th seed at Wimbledon 2025, retired from his first-round match against French qualifier Valentin Royer due to a persistent back injury. Tsitsipas struggled visibly throughout the match, receiving a medical timeout in the second set but ultimately deciding to retire after trailing 6-3, 6-2, following advice from his new coach, former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic. This marked Royer's first-ever tour-level victory and only his second Grand Slam main-draw appearance, propelling him into the second round where he will face compatriot Adrian Mannarino. Tsitsipas's early exit, alongside other high-profile retirements like Ons Jabeur's, highlights a challenging start to the tournament amid hot conditions. The Greek player's back issues had been noted prior to Wimbledon, raising concerns about his form this season. Tsitsipas leaves Wimbledon with a 19-13 record for the year, while Royer, ranked No. 113, celebrated a breakthrough on the grass courts of SW19.