Stefanos Tsitsipas is back on the Grand Slam stage following a back injury that disrupted the second half of his 2025 season. The former Australian Open runner-up said on Friday that his main focus at Melbourne Park is simply enjoying himself.

The former world number three played two singles matches for Greece in the Davis Cup last September after a second-round exit at the U.S. Open, then took time off to recover from lingering injury issues.

Heading into the year’s first major, where he reached the final in 2023, Tsitsipas said his immediate goal is to feel competitive again after managing just two Grand Slam match wins last year.

“I’m not looking for big, super-duper things on court,” he said. “I just want to go out there, enjoy the competitive aspect of the game where players go back and forth, and fall in love with that process… seeing what that brings out of my game. These are the things I’m focused on right now.”

Tsitsipas, who has dropped to world number 33 amid his injury struggles, also voiced concerns about the intensity of the ATP Tour schedule. He highlighted the strain of ATP 1000 tournaments, many of which last up to 12 days, and how it has contributed to increased retirements and injuries.

“There are a lot of serious concerns with the tour, and I’m sure many players have spoken about these things,” he said. “I love the ATP Tour and the opportunities it gives players, but the schedule is way too saturated.”

ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi defended the calendar last October, saying scheduling is largely a player choice and that the tour is working to provide clearer incentives for match participation.

Tsitsipas remained critical, citing 2025 as a particularly injury-plagued year. “I don’t think it’s a coincidence that so many players were injured, and there’s a statistic I saw — we haven’t had a year like that with so many retirements,” he said. “I believe it’s directly related to how the tour is structured. Masters 1000s are too long. A few small adjustments could create the perfect formula and make the schedule more manageable.”