Stefanos Tsitsipas let his frustrations get the better of him during his 2025 Indian Wells Open loss to Holger Rune, leading to him receiving a warning.
Tsitsipas was in great form before the match against the Dane. He won his first title in 11 months at the 2025 Dubai Championships and answered his critics during that spell without a title in the process.
The Greek was also in great form in his opening two contests in Indian Wells, including a comprehensive win against Matteo Berrettini. He probably fancied his chances against Rune, who had never beaten a Top 10 player on an outdoor hardcourt.
However, Rune turned the tables with an excellent performance to win 6-4, 6-4. Tsitsipas did not play badly, but his opponent was better in the significant moments, including saving five of the six break points he faced.
Although there are still many reasons for Tsitsipas to be positive about his overall level in the last few weeks, tensions can still run high during matches. That was shown during a moment that got him into trouble.
A video of the incident can be viewed below. After his serve was broken, Tsitsipas instinctively took out the ball in his pocket and slammed it into Rune’s equipment bag that was in front of his chair.
Whether Tsitsipas meant to hit Rune’s bag is unclear. He may have hit the ball without thinking and was not focused on where it would land. Unsurprisingly, striking the ball carelessly against his opponent’s equipment did not end well.
Tsitsipas received an unsportsmanlike conduct violation for his action after the video below ends. The 2021 French Open runner-up did not protest the decision and tried to mount a comeback in the match, but ultimately failed.
Getting a conduct violation is never a good look, but Tsitsipas can move on swiftly from the incident. The 26-year-old would have been in much more trouble had he struck the umpire, a ball kid, or a crowd member.
Tsitsipas’ anger during that moment contrasts with how contently he spoke after the previous match against Berrettini. The former world No. 3 revealed that Badosa had inspired him to learn how to cook.
Badosa had time to cook and partake in any other hobbies throughout Tsitsipas’ campaign in Indian Wells because she could not play at the tournament due to a back injury sustained at the 2025 Merida Open.
The Spaniard has to be very cautious about back injuries because that was what ruled her out of all tournaments in 2023 after Wimbledon. Badosa recently spoke about how she worried that injury would end her career.
Hopefully, Badosa can return from that injury soon. She has not withdrawn from the 2025 Miami Open, which follows the Indian Wells Open this month. There has been no update about her injury since she withdrew from Indian Wells.
Badosa made an excellent start to the season by reaching the 2025 Australian Open semifinal, and she will hope to return to that level after her injury heals.
