STEFANOS TSITSIPAS retired down two sets to French qualifier Valentin Royer before admitting “I have a limit”.
The former world No3 was in a rotten mood throughout his Wimbledon opener and pulled the plug while trailing 6-3 6-2 due to a back issue.
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Tsitsipas, 26, is a two-time former Grand Slam finalist but has tumbled down the rankings during the last 12 months.
Prior to this year’s Championships he enlisted the help of former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic.
But even with the Croatian in his corner, Tsitsipas found himself comprehensively outplayed by his inspired opponent.
Following a low key start, Royer grabbed a crucial break in the eighth game of the first set, quickly going on to serve it out for 6-3.
The 24-year-old then immediately wrestled the initiative in the second set, winning a lengthy opening game before consolidating the break for 2-0.
Tsitsipas was in a foul mood by this point, frequently barking towards his player box.
He called for the physio mid-way through the second set, citing a back issue.
After falling 6-3 6-2 behind, Tsitsipas shook Royer’s hand and decided to call it a day.
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Tsitsipas went on to reveal that he has been suffering with a lower back issue since 2023.
He then admitted: “It’s probably the most difficult situation that I’ve ever been faced with, because it’s an ongoing issue that doesn’t seem to be disappearing or fading off as much.
“Myself, as a person, I have a limit at some point, so I’ll definitely have to have my final answer on whether I want to do stuff or not in the next couple of months.
“This is going to be hard, but if I see it going in that trajectory, there is no point at competing.
“If I’m not healthy, and I’ve talked about health so many times, if health is not there, then your whole tennis life becomes miserable.”
The world No26 is 13th on the list of alternates for this year’s men’s doubles event alongside brother Petros Tsitsipas – meaning he is unlikely to make the main draw even if his back injury clears.
Two years ago he entered the mixed doubles event alongside girlfriend Paula Badosa, although the pair were forced to withdraw due to an injury suffered by the Spaniard.
The entry list for this year’s mixed doubles event will be released on Wednesday.
Badosa, 27, is due to get her Wimbledon campaign underway later this afternoon.
The world No9 will face Britain’s Katie Boulter on Centre Court.
Elsewhere on day one, Daniil Medvedev was upset by Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi on No2 Court.
The Russian, 29, struggled to hurt Bonzi throughout, with the world No64 staying cool to complete a 7-6 3-6 7-6 6-2 upset.
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