ATP Tour

Tsitsipas hopeful of playing singles Wednesday at United Cup

Stefanos Tsitsipas may make his 2024 singles debut at the United Cup in Sydney Wednesday after saying that he pulled up better than expected from a three-set mixed doubles outing today.

The 2023 Australian Open finalist, who is still short of full fitness due to a back injury, did not play singles against Nicolas Jarry in Greece's opening tie against Chile Tuesday, but did team with Maria Sakkari in a tight three-set mixed loss.

“I'm much better than what I was a month ago. I wasn't 100 per cent sure that I will have the chance to play the United Cup. It didn't really cross my mind when I was considering my comeback," said Tsitsipas, who begins the season at No. 6 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.

“I went through tough times at the end of the year. Things weren't looking very good. Today I was feeling great. There was just one moment during the match that I felt something. But I think I shouldn't be concerned about it too much. It's not a major issue that I'm facing.

Asked about his playing prospects Wednesday for singles or mixed, he said, “There are big chances I might do both".

Despite Tuesday's defeat, Greece remains in contention to reach the quarter-finals. On Wednesday it will play Canada, which fielded Steven Diez instead of Felix Auger-Aliassime (knee) in its first match. The 2019 Nitto ATP Finals champion leads Felix 6-3 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series. He has never played Diez.

TOO GOOD 🙌@mariasakkari | @steftsitsipas | @UnitedCupTennis | #UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/pmjaLQtP2H

— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 2, 2024