After a disappointing end to his season, Stefanos Tsitsipas is hoping to bounce back next year with his eyes set on claiming a medal at the Olympic Games.
The world No.6 was forced to pull out of his final event of 2023 at the Nitto ATP Finals due to a back injury. This year Tsitsipas has only won one title which was at the Los Cabos Open in Mexico. He also reached the final of the Australian Open and Barcelona Open. Overall, he achieved a win-loss record of 51-24 on the Tour.
Tsitsipas’ focus is now on the new season where he is hoping to become the first Greek player to win an Olympic medal in the Open Era. Greece has won three medals in tennis but they were all during the inaugural Games in 1896. The next edition of the event will be held on clay at Roland Garros, the venue of the French Open.
“I want to obviously bring an Olympic medal back to my country, that is a goal of mine,” Tsitsipas told The National.
The 25-year-old is also hoping to claim his maiden Grand Slam title in what will be a tough task. He is already a two-time major finalist but this season his results at these tournaments got worse as the year progressed. Furthermore, he only won one out of nine meetings against top 10 players throughout 2023.
“I want to win a Grand Slam title, that is also a goal of mine. For sure, in order for me to do these things I need to be healthy because there was a time this season where certain circumstances didn’t allow me to perform at 100 per cent; what I’m talking about those instances, they appeared after the Australian Open this year, and towards the end of the season,” he said.
“I’m just hoping not to be that limited and to explore further in 2024.”
Tsitsipas admits that his back injury has affected his off-season preparations but there has also been a silver lining for him.
“I did spend quality time with my family and I did spend a few weeks trying to find a solution to all of this [physical problems] and I think it paid off, going for many days in a row into rehab and committing myself to the process of absolute healing.” He concluded.
Tsitsipas returns to competitive tennis next week at the United Cup in Australia.
