After his debut match on the main stadium court, Stefanos Tsitsipas faced a setback by being relegated to the smaller court for his round-of-32 match against Tomas Etcheverry.
This demotion may have been discouraging for Tsitsipas, a two-time champion at the event. Meanwhile, his younger rival, Jannik Sinner, received the spotlight on the center court, highlighting the contrast in their current trajectories.
While Sinner has enjoyed a rise in form in 2024, Tsitsipas has struggled to maintain his previous level of success. He remains winless in titles and finals this year, and has faced defeats against lower-ranked opponents such as Taylor Fritz, Casper Ruud, and Denis Shapovalov. Consequently, his ranking has dropped from No. 3 to No. 12. Tennis commentators have attributed his struggles to the perceived disadvantage of his one-handed backhand.
Despite these challenges, Tsitsipas exhibited resilience against Etcheverry. He overcame an early deficit with aggressive play, eventually securing a 6-1, 6-0 victory. This performance hinted at a return to the form that saw him reach the Australian Open final in 2023, showcasing his athleticism and all-court ability.
I felt like once the momentum was there, I felt unstoppable in some ways.
Stefanos Tsitsipas
“I felt like during the rallies I was staying intact and calm,” Tsitsipas said. “I was trying to read the court and play with the trajectory of the ball.”
“I felt like once the momentum was there, I felt unstoppable in some ways.”
He’ll get a big test of his current level when he faces Alexander Zverev next. Tsitsipas holds a 9-5 lead in their head to head, but Zverev won their only match of 2024, at the United Cup, and has had a much better year so far.
