Stefanos Tsitsipas has concluded his impressive run among the top-10 players in the world after nearly five years. The Greek tennis star has dropped out of this elite group for the first time since March 2019. Tsitsipas had an incredible streak of 237 consecutive weeks in the top-10, ranking 22nd on the list, just seven weeks short of Stan Wawrinka.
This season, Tsitsipas has had a mixed performance with a win-loss record of 5-2. Unfortunately, he was unable to defend the points he earned from last year’s Australian Open, which resulted in him losing his top-10 spot just before the ATP 250 event in Los Cabos. At the start of the 2019 season, the 20-year-old was ranked 15th. He reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open, won the Marseille tournament, and was the runner-up in Dubai. These achievements were enough for him to enter the top-10 for the first time at Indian Wells.
Tsitsipas showcased his skills on clay courts in the following months, establishing himself as one of the world’s best players. He finished the 2019 season ranked 6th and maintained that position in 2020. In 2021, he even reached the top-3 but couldn’t hold on to it until the end of the season. His performance declined in the closing stages, leading to his withdrawal from the ATP Finals after the first match.
In 2022, Tsitsipas had an impressive year with 61 wins, two tournament victories, and another year-end top-4 ranking. However, he couldn’t maintain the same level of success in 2023. He won a small title in Los Cabos but lost in the final of the Australian Open to Novak Djokovic. Despite suffering from back pain, Tsitsipas reached the semi-finals in Antwerp, Vienna, and Paris on indoor courts. He withdrew from the ATP Finals once again but finished the season in the top-6.
Tsitsipas’ journey in the top-10 came to an end at this year’s Australian Open when he was defeated by Taylor Fritz in the fourth round. This loss resulted in a significant drop in ranking points, putting his top-10 streak at risk. Tsitsipas had not played in the previous weeks leading up to the tournament, and his top-10 status was ultimately ended when Alex de Minaur, the finalist in Rotterdam, climbed two spots and surpassed him in the rankings.
The season began for Tsitsipas at the United Cup, but he was still struggling with back pain. He managed to win three matches in Melbourne and had the opportunity to face Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals. However, Taylor Fritz delivered a strong performance and defeated Tsitsipas in a grueling three-hour match, marking his first top-10 victory at a major tournament. Fritz hit 50 winners and made only 19 unforced errors, showcasing solid defense and leaving Tsitsipas behind.
Despite a valiant effort from Tsitsipas, who hit 41 winners and made 33 unforced errors, he ended up on the losing side. He was broken four times out of 11 opportunities given to his opponent. Taylor Fritz experienced a late break in the second set but managed to bounce back and take control of the match in sets three and four, ultimately securing the victory.
Tsitsipas is currently the 2nd seed in the Los Cabos tournament this week. He aims to defend his title and secure his first trophy since August.
According to the Source tennisworldusa.org