Calls for Stefanos Tsitsipas to Take a Break as Greek Tennis Star Hits Career Crossroads

Greek tennis sensation Stefanos Tsitsipas is facing mounting calls to take a hiatus from the sport following a string of disappointing performances that have seen him slip to No. 12 in the world rankings—his lowest position since 2018.

The 26-year-old star, once ranked as high as No. 3 and a two-time Grand Slam finalist, was defeated by rising American Alex Michelsen (20) in a four-set match, 7-5, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4. The loss comes amid a challenging season for Tsitsipas, prompting former Australian player Jelena Dokic to suggest a year-long break from competition and a reevaluation of his coaching setup.

A Struggling Star

Tsitsipas, who rose to prominence after defeating Roger Federer in a stunning 2019 Australian Open upset, has failed to replicate that form consistently in recent years. Despite reaching the Australian Open final in 2023 and making three semi-final appearances, his recent performances have been plagued by struggles with confidence and shot selection, according to commentators.

“He is in real trouble. He is struggling,” said Lleyton Hewitt during Nine’s tennis coverage. “His shot selection is a problem at the moment... He doesn’t look settled on court.”

Tsitsipas, now coached by Dimitris Chatzinikolaou after parting ways with his father Apostolos, has experimented with different coaching setups in the past, including a brief stint with Australian Mark Philippoussis. Despite these changes, the player admits he is not performing at his best.

“I would actually say that I’m a better player now than I was back then [in 2019],” Tsitsipas said after his recent loss. “Even though I’m losing now... I feel like I’m much better as a player than back then where I felt like my shots were not as heavy in terms of topspin.”

Calls for Reflection

Dokic, a former world No. 4, has urged Tsitsipas to take an extended break to rediscover his motivation and passion for the game.

“If I was advising him, I would take a year,” Dokic said. “Refresh. He doesn’t look motivated at all... I think he felt like he should have won a Grand Slam. Get a whole new coaching team.”

Former doubles champion Todd Woodbridge echoed these sentiments, suggesting that time away from the sport could help Tsitsipas regain his focus. “It almost looks like he needs a break, several months away, to really realise how much he enjoys it. He looks lost. Totally lost,” Woodbridge remarked.

For now, the question remains: will Tsitsipas take the time to recalibrate and return stronger, or will he press on through this challenging chapter in his career? For his fans in Greece and around the world, the hope is that the talented star will find his way back to the top.

(Source: Wide World of Sports)