Stefanos Tsitsipas sets sights on Olympic medal as he aims to bounce back from injury

Stefanos Tsitsipas is hoping he can “reboot” himself for the new tennis season, as he looks to move past a back injury that disrupted the tail-end of his 2023 campaign.

The Greek world No 6 was forced to retire from his second match at the ATP Finals last month, his back issues resulting in an abrupt end to his season.

Speaking to The National on the sidelines of the World Tennis League at Etihad Arena on Sunday, Tsitsipas said he was in a “better condition” than before and that his back has “almost healed”.

The 25-year-old did not contest any singles sets during the exhibition event in Abu Dhabi, and instead stuck to playing doubles and mixed doubles.

He will begin his 2024 season at the United Cup in Sydney, where he will lead Greece, alongside his compatriot Maria Sakkari, in their opening clash against Chile on January 2.

“I wasn’t able to get the preparation that I actually needed – I’m talking about all the weeks (I was hoping to get),” said Tsitsipas of his preseason training.

“However, I did spend quality time with my family and I did spend a few weeks trying to find a solution to all of this [physical problems] and I think it paid off, going for many days in a row into rehab and committing myself to the process of absolute healing.”

Tsitsipas started 2023 with a bang, winning his opening 10 matches of the season by going undefeated in singles at the United Cup to help guide Greece to the semi-finals before marching to the Australian Open final. It was Tsitsipas’s second appearance in a Grand Slam final and his second defeat to Novak Djokovic at that stage in a major.

“I can definitely gain confidence from that,” Tsitsipas said, reflecting on his exploits in Australia 11 months ago. “However, I don’t reminisce