Stefanos Tsitsipas is chasing his third consecutive title at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters. The Greek star won his first title at the Monte-Carlo Country Club in 2021 beating Andrey Rublev and repeated this feat by beating Alejandro Davidovich Fokina one year later.
Rafael Nadal is the only other player to make it three titles in a row on the red clay of the Monte-Carlo Country Club in the Open Era.
“I am looking to make it three titles, but I won’t take too much time thinking of it. I am feeling refreshed that we are able to start playing on clay again”, said Tsitsipas.
Tsitsipas has fond memories of his past appearances at the Monte-Carlo tournament, where he holds a record of 12 wins to 2 defeats and he has always been welcomed warmly. The Athens native player is looking to bounce back from his recent defeats in the third round in Indian Wells and in the fourth round in Miami.
“It’s a pleasure to return to the clay court swing. It is one of the most fascinating parts of the year, starting the clay-court swing in Monte-Carlo, which is my favourite place in the sport. I am enjoying the fact that I have won this event twice. I feel good playing here. I feel good here in front of my fans. The Monegasque people have showed their love and support and the Italian and French fans. Also the Greek Community. They are here and I know most of them. It is my home tournament and having won this event twice. It gives me so much happiness that I was able to live and experience these moments. I am hoping to make it more than twice this week”, said Tsitsipas.
Tsitsipas has won four of his ten titles on clay and finished runner-up in the Roland Garros final in 2021. Tsitsipas revealed that he enjoys the strategy of clay-court tennis.
“I think it is deeper than people think. I really like the tactical analysis of clay-court tennis. There is a lot of strategy involved. You are not expecting to hit crazy winners on a surface like clay. You are dealing with much patience when you are playing. It involves more around unforced and forced errors. The way you can open the court. The main priority is not to hit a winner, but be precise and open the court,”, said Tsitsipas.
Tsitsipas will aim to win his ATP title of the season in Monte-Carlo, where he faces a very strong line-up that features two-time champion Novak Djokovic, Danil Medvedev, who won four titles in Rotterdam, Doha, Dubai and Miami, and Jannik Sinner, who reached two finals in Rotterdam and Miami and the semifinal at Indian Wells. The world number 3 player will make his debut in the second round against either Benjamin Bonzi or Bernabe Zapata Miralles.
