Tsitsipas Withdraws From Hurkacz Clash At ATP Cup, Wins Doubles

Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas withdrew from his No. 1 singles match against Poland's Hubert Hurkacz at the ATP Cup on Saturday evening due to a right elbow injury.

But the World No. 4, who has not ruled out returning to the singles court during the tournament, tested out his arm in the dead doubles rubber, in which he partnered Michail Pervolarakis to a 6-4, 5-7, 10-8 victory against Hurkacz and Jan Zielinski.

"I'm truly relieved that I'm able to feel normal again after years and years of suffering. The concern was kind of something that I expected, but it's not serious. I'm just trying to protect it," Tsitsipas said. "I've been using some muscles that I haven't been able to use before and it takes a little bit of time to get into the rhythm and get to the level I want to.

"If I'm not able to perform at 100 per cent, for me there's no reason for me to go out there and play."

Aristotelis Thanos stepped in to face Hurkacz, who won 6-1, 6-2. Tsitsipas withdrew from the 2021 Nitto ATP Finals a month-and-a-half ago after one match due to the same elbow injury. Greece's next tie will be on Monday evening against Argentina.

"There was a lot of thought behind it and it kind of hurts because I do want the best for the team," Tsitsipas said. "I'm not playing as an individual. I see that as a team effort and I would love to [have gone] out there on the court today and played my best tennis, but I decided to take it a bit easier by starting with the doubles."

Poland won the tie 2-1. Kamil Majchrzak defeated Pervolarakis 6-1, 6-4 in the No. 2 singles match.