federation cup
Tsitsipas keen to travel to Perth, reveals his ‘biggest wish for 2026’
Former world No. 3 will lead Greece in Fed Cup with Sakkari
January 1, 2026
Trevor Collens/Tennis Australia
Stefanos Tsitsipas training for the United Cup in Perth.
Written by ATP Staff
Stefanos Tsitsipas pursues a new beginning in 2026 with renewed energy.
The former PIF ATP No. 3 struggled with a back injury in the second half of the 2025 season and has not played again since playing two singles matches for Greece in the Davis Cup in September. Tsitsipas left to focus on recovery and now feels rested and refreshed in Perth as he prepares to represent Greece in the season-opening Confederations Cup.
“It did take me some time to recover. I’ve been out of the pitch for a long time,” Tsitsipas told Greece’s pre-match press conference on Thursday. “The last three or four games of the season I could barely hold on. So it was important to try and find something that would get me back fit.
“I’ve taken all the necessary actions and taken all the necessary steps to recover and get back to where I remember it being. So so far I think it’s brought good feedback because I know I’ve done the whole pre-season without any pain, without any discomfort. I just hope that can stay that way and I can start in the Manchester United Cup and hopefully achieve that in the 2026 season.”
Tsitsipas, a 12-time tour champion, has a 22-16 record in 2025, according to the Infosys ATP Win-Loss Index. The 27-year-old has struggled to rebuild the physical foundation upon which his explosive game rests.
“The thing I’m most excited about is trying to see the actual training I’ve done over the past few weeks and how it responds to my back, because my biggest concern is: Can I actually finish a race?” he said. “That’s what’s been going through my head for the last six to eight months. I’ve been thinking, ‘If I win one game, am I going to be able to come back the next day and play another game without pain?’
“After I lost my back at the U.S. Open, I was really scared because I couldn’t walk for two days. When something like that happens, you start to rethink the future of your career. I just hope that 2026 doesn’t bring any of that. I actually went to see one of the best sports doctors in the world and so far he’s promised to cure me. I hope that lasts until 2026. That’s my biggest wish for 2026, is to finish the tournament without having to think about anything about my back.”
Tsitsipas’ first opponent in 2026 will be Shintaro Mochizuki. The pair’s first Lexus ATP head-to-head clash will follow Maria Sakkari and Naomi Osaka’s heavyweight WTA clash when Greece and Japan face off at the RAC Arena on Friday night.
“We have played here many times. Perth seems to be gradually becoming part of one of the biggest cities in Greece,” Tsitsipas said. “I’m glad we’re back. It’s a great way to start the season. Honestly couldn’t ask for anything better right now.
“I really hope every one of our teammates is ready to fight. We’re on our way to greatness. We’re warriors. We’re Greeks, so we’re going to try to make the best of it.”
Tsitsipas is also considering renewing his mixed doubles partnership with Sakkari, himself a former world No. 3 singles player.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better partner to play mixed doubles with,” said the Greek ATP Tour star. “I’ve known Maria for a long time. I feel like our mixed doubles play builds a lot of trust and confidence in what we’re good at and what we’re not good at. Obviously it’s a trade-off. We know our strengths. We know our weaknesses. Whenever we get a chance to compete, we try to use that kind of information to come up with the best doubles strategy and plan.
“In fact, looking back, we’ve had a lot of amazing comebacks and appearances, including at the Olympics. If you think about it, 15 years ago, I would never have imagined myself in a position like this, being able to be at the top of my favorite competition with the women of my country.”
