Stefanos Tsitsipas is really a long way from the player who seemed to be the heir to the Big 3. In the last two years, his career has entered a negative spiral from which he just can't get out. The Greek ace no longer seems to have that passion for tennis that characterized him in the past and his motivations have fallen lower and lower, accompanied by very disappointing results.
The former Top 10 thought that the professional separation from his father Apostolos served as a shock to him, but nothing positive has happened in recent months and the feeling is that there will be new changes in the coming weeks.
Tsitsipas was eliminated by Alex Michelsen in the first round of the 2025 Australian Open, a defeat that certified all the Greek's current difficulties against a very dangerous opponent on this surface. The 2019 ATP Finals champion was convinced that he had worked well during the off-season and had almost always shone at Melbourne Park, where he had made himself known to the whole world in 2019 (when he defeated Roger Federer and reached the semifinals). In addition, the talent from Athens had reached the final here in 2023 losing to Novak Djokovic.
What a disaster
At just 26 years old, Stefanos cannot be satisfied with being a second-tier player and will have to work a lot on his mind to return to the player of a few years ago. The ATP tour needs a player like him, but the signs that have arrived in the last two seasons cast a veil of uncertainty over the future of the Greek champion.
During the post-match press conference, 'Tsitsi' analyzed all his current difficulties: I had more mental freshness back then; it seemed like I had more hunger than now. One of the things that stood out then is that I had the hunger to try to make tennis my life and to have a good start in my tennis career and journey. Its different from what it is now.
He continued: I would say I am a better player now than then. Even though I may be losing now and not at my best, I believe I am a much better player than I was then when I felt my shots werent as powerful in terms of topspin. I played much flatter and more through the court than now. I think that wouldnt work as well now as it did then.
