TSITSIPAS IN HUNT FOR A SHOT AT GLORY
TSITSIPAS IN HUNT FOR A SHOT AT GLORY
Stefanos Tsitsipas may have missed out on capturing his maiden grand slam title last month, yet the Athens-born ace aims to bounce back from his disappointment with renewed belief.
Tsitsipas stormed to the Australian Open final, only to be stopped in his tracks by Serbian veteran Novak Djokovic. Had the 24-year-old not lost in straight sets, he would have been crowned world no.1 at Melbourne Park.
The two-time grand slam finalist described himself as “a born champion” at the post-match press conference, where he outlined that his goal is to be world no.1.
Since then, the Greek world no.3 on the ATP Tour has revealed that he is courting more dreams. After Tsitsipas recently led Greece to a Davis Cup World Group I play-off triumph over Ecuador, he explained his ambitions.
Tsitsipas enthused to sports24.gr: “I’ve many dreams, one of them is to win the gold [Olympic] medal. As well as to win the Davis Cup with Greece, to get the four grand slams and the world no.1 ranking.”
Yet his off-court feud with controversial Greek-Australian Nick Kyrgios could hamper his chances if the pair keep reigniting their war of words.
Tsitsipas and Kyrgios spent plenty of quality time together on the junior circuit, but at 2022 Wimbledon their friendship spiralled out of control. Canberra-born Kyrgios saw off the challenge of Tsitsipas in an ill-tempered 3rd round Centre Court clash at SW19, when both players were fined for their unsportsmanlike behaviour.
Due to the frustration of dropping the opening set, Tsitsipas hit someone in the crowd with a ball. Kyrgios wanted umpire Damien Dumusois to issue his opponent a default for these antics.
The tempestuous encounter continued. Tsitsipas later belted a ball out of the jam-packed stadium. Kyrgios kept losing his temper, swearing and criticising the umpire for refusing his request for Tsitsipas to be kicked out of the tournament.
Despite Tsitsipas having labelled Kyrgios a “bully” and a player with “an evil side” in press conferences following their very public fall out, the duo briefly put aside their differences late last year when they paired up for doubles at a big money Saudi Arabia tournament.
Monaco-based Tsitsipas, who admits that he keeps to himself on the pro circuit, carries a video camera on tour to record vlogs and posts both tennis clips and his landscape photography on social media platforms.
After falling short in the opening major final of the year, Tsitsipas’ best bet to lift a grand slam appears to be the French Open. This is because he doesn’t have the best of records at either the US Open or Wimbledon.
Tsitsipas is fourth favourite to win his first major at Roland Garros this year, priced at 13/2 behind Djokovic (6/4), Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz (7/4) and veteran Rafael Nadal (5/2) while Kyrgios is a 25/1 underdog.
Bookmakers are on the ball when it comes to tennis betting action. Can Tsitsipas, overdue a title, pull off the unthinkable and claim a major trophy this year? Can he capture an ATP crown having settled for the runner-up in each of his nine ATP 500 finals? Punters can keep an eye on the bet365 Australia review to check the latest odds for the personable Greek to triumph.
Tsitsipas has been among the most consistent top 10 players in recent years. So his schedule up to 2023 Wimbledon offers ample opportunities to edge closer to the coveted no.1 spot, which he so craves.
ABN AMRO Open, Holland (ATP 500, 13-19 February)
Seeded no.1 seed at the indoor tournament in Rotterdam. Finished runner-up to Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime last year.
Mexico Open, Mexico (ATP 500, 27 February-5 March)
Best showing in Acapulco was as 2021 runner-up to German Alexander Zverev.
Indian Wells Open, USA (ATP 1000, 6-19 March)
Never got further than the quarters. Stunned by American Jenson Brooksby in the 3rd round last season.
Miami Open, USA (ATP 1000, 20-27 March)
A 2021 quarter-final appearance is his best progression. Last year fell to eventual champion Alcaraz in the 4th round.
Monte-Carlo Masters, Monaco (ATP 1000, 10-16 April)
Having won the crown at the Monte-Carlo Country Club for the past two years, he should thrive during the clay court season.
Barcelona Open, Spain (ATP 500, 17-23 April)
Twice a runner-up to Spanish legend Nadal. Last year was toppled in the quarters as top seed.
Madrid Open, Spain (ATP 1000, 24 April-7 May)
Reached the 2019 final, and progressed to last year’s semi-finals.
Italian Open, Italy (ATP 1000, 8-15 May)
Finished runner-up to Djokovic on the outdoor courts of Foro Italico in Rome last year.
French Open, France (grand slam, 28 May-11 June)
Reached his maiden major final on the Paris clay in 2021, succumbing to Djokovic. Made a 4th round exit at the hands of Denmark’s Holger Rune last year.
Stuttgart Open, Germany or Libema Open, Netherlands (ATP 250, 12-18 June)
His choice of tournament depends on how far he progresses at Roland Garros, although he skipped both events in 2021.
Halle Open, Germany (ATP 500, 19-25 June)
Upset in the 2nd round by red hot Kyrgios last year.
Mallorca Championships, Spain (ATP 250, 26 June-1 July)
Claimed his maiden grass court crown last season, although this year he may not defend his crown so close to Wimbledon.
Wimbledon, England (grand slam, 3-16 July)
Does not have the best of records at The All England Club, with the major cancelled in 2020. His best display was a 4th round run in 2018. Will surely have learned to curb his emotions following last season’s heated 3rd round defeat to Kyrgios.