Stefanos Tsitsipas ended a month-long winless stretch with a hard-fought opening victory at the Madrid Open.
The Greek hadn’t posted a win since the Miami Open back in March, but came from behind to edge out world number 90 Patrick Kypson.
Tsitsipas found himself trailing 4-1 early, but managed to claw his way back into the match, coming through two tight tiebreaks to seal it 3-6, 7-6, 7-6.
Tsitsipas spoke to Tennis Channel about his struggles, saying: “I’m at a good place with my body because last year I felt like I was heading nowhere. I kept playing here and there, not very consistent.
“My confidence plummeted. This year I’m healthy. I started the Australian Open until now, haven’t had any issues with my body.
“The only thing that I’m missing is a few wins that I’m hoping to clinch over the next couple of weeks. I need wins.
“I need to start feeling my game again, back to where it was especially during the clay court season in the past.
“I’ve had some really good tournaments, playing on the clay, I’ve had success, playing on the surface, and I want to try and recreate that, see the things that actually work for me and try to replicate them.”
When asked about his aims for the clay swing, Tsitsipas said: “I just want to use the clay court season to regain my confidence and what that means is clinching difficult wins.
“Like matches that are against seeded players, players that have been doing well this year, that’s my goal with the clay court season.
“And use that confidence to build for the next phase of like grass courts hard courts following at the very end of the season.”
Clay has always suited Tsitsipas’ game. He has picked up five of his 12 career titles on the surface, including three in Monte Carlo.
He also knows what it takes to go deep at Roland Garros, having reached the final back in 2021.
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