By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday October 17, 2023
2023 has been a difficult year for Stefanos Tsitsipas, and the Greek has been lost in the shuffle as Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev have stepped to the fore and took control of the ATP narrative. But the Greek wants you to know that he is working as hard as ever and fully focused on making the most of his myriad talents.
Speaking to media ahead of his appearance at this week’s European Open in Antwerp, Belgium, Tsitsipas reiterated his desire to improve so that he remains a part of the conversation at the top of the tour.
“People who claim that I am no longer focused on tennis, I train more than I ever did in my career,” Tsitsipas said on Monday at the European Open, according to Univers Tennis. “I don’t want to prove anything to anyone, except to myself, to prove to myself that I am capable of regaining my level. I believe in it.”
Tsitsipas is 43-19 on the season with a title at Los Cabos this summer, and let us not forget that he commenced his season by reaching his second career Grand Slam final at the Australian Open.
The Greek also reached the quarterfinals at Roland-Garros and the second week at Wimbledon, and ended the season with a 14-4 record at the majors.
Perhaps more concerning is the fact that the 25-year-old Greek has not registered a single Top-10 victory this season. He has lost all 12 sets he has played against Top-10 competition in 2023.
Tsitsipas vs. Top-10 in 2023:
Djokovic, 6-3, 7-6(4), 7-6(5), Final Australian Open
Fritz, 6-2, 6-4, Quarterfinal, Monte-Carlo
Alcaraz, 6-3, 6-4, Final, Barcelona
Medvedev, 7-5, 7-5, Semifinal, Rome
Alcaraz, 6-2, 6-1, 7-6(5), Quarterfinal, Roland-Garros