Tsitsipas eyes fresh start in 2026 after injury-hit season | The Express Tribune

Stefanos Tsitsipas said he is hoping to rediscover his best tennis in 2026 after a back injury disrupted his campaign last year.
The former world number three played only two singles rubbers for Greece in the Davis Cup in September following a second-round exit at the U.S. Open the previous month, before taking time off to recover.
Tsitsipas, now ranked 36th, will lead Greece at the United Cup in Perth and Sydney from January 2 to 11, the week before the Australian Open.
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“The last three or four tournaments of the season I could barely hold up,” the 27-year-old told tournament organisers.
“So it was important to try and find something that will bring me back again healthy.
“I did all the necessary actions and took all the necessary steps to rehabilitate and get back to what I remember myself being.”
Tsitsipas managed only two wins at the majors last year, retiring in the first round at Wimbledon.
In July, the 2021 French Open and 2023 Australian Open runner-up reunited with his father Apostolos as coach after ending a brief stint with Goran Ivanisevic, who helped Novak Djokovic claim nine of his 24 Grand Slam titles.
“I got really scared after my U.S. Open loss with my back, because I just couldn’t walk for two days,” Tsitsipas said.
“When things like that happen, you start reconsidering the future of your career.
“That’s my biggest wish for 2026 – to finish matches and not have to think about any issues regarding my back.”  
 
Williams receives wildcard entry
Venus Williams will return to the Australian Open after receiving a wildcard entry, the tournament’s organisers said on Friday, marking her first appearance at Melbourne Park in five years.
The seven-time Grand Slam winner last played at the tournament in 2021, exiting in the second round to Italy’s Sara Errani.
Despite 21 previous campaigns, the American has never lifted the trophy, finishing runner-up twice – losing to sister Serena in the finals in 2003 and 2017.
“I am excited to be back in Australia and looking forward to competing during the summer,” Williams, 45, said.
“I’ve had so many incredible memories there and I’m grateful for the opportunity to return to a place that has meant so much to my career.”
Williams will become the oldest woman to feature in the Australian Open main draw, surpassing Japan’s Kimiko Date, who was 44 when she bowed out in the first round in 2015.
She has also accepted a wildcard for the Hobart International, a warm-up event starting on January 12, where she will join fellow major winners Barbora Krejcikova and Emma Raducanu.