Tsitsipas reflects on the past 12 months, after Zverev loss: “I can’t call 2024 an amazing season”

The Greek failed to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals for the first time since 2018

Chryslene Caillaud / Panoramic

November 1, 2024

Stefanos Tsitsipas, despite not winning a Grand Slam title in his career, has been the embodiment of consistency for the last half a decade. Indeed, the Greek has qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals every year since 2019 – that was until this season, as the two-time Grand Slam finalist will end 2024 outside of the world’s top 10 for the first time since 2018.

The world No 11 started the year off with a respectable fourth round showing at the Australian Open and Indian Wells, before claiming a third title at his beloved Monte Carlo Masters, and making the final in Barcelona. He followed this up with a quarter-final showing at the Rome masters, as well as at Roland Garros – where he lost of eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz.

However, Tsitsipas’s results have been more than sub-par since, falling in the second round of Wimbledon, the Canada Masters, and the Cincinnati Masters, as well as in the first round of the US Open.

Pre-season crucial for The Greek, heading into 2025

Speaking to Carole Bouchard after his loss to Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals of the Paris Masters, the Greek reflected on his 2024 season:

“I don’t think 2024 can be called an amazing year. Definitely not, but, moving forward, you know, I have a good team by my side so far, and now we are moving towards the right direction.”

The world No 11 also commented on the importance of having a thorough and effective off-season, including the creation of a team which may build him up to more impressive results:

“I just need to put in the work, I need to work in the pre-season precisely and apply the right things into my training; working on the things that I definitely lack a little bit on the court. I feel like hiring the right professionals and hiring the right people to help me on that path, that journey, will definitely pay off at some point. I just need to be a little bit patient, because it’s not something that I’m going to see straight away. It will take a few months.”

I just need to be a little bit patient
Tsitsipas on achieving better results

Looking ahead to 2025, the Greek was clear about his priorities not lying in particular tournaments, taking a more holistic approach:

“There are no particular tournaments that I will focus on, I just want a solid 2025 with great results. One that I can say that ‘I did amazing’, and ‘I am proud of myself’, thar I maximised and did the most that I could could this year. This year isn’t the case where I can say this.”

Just a couple of months ago, Tsitsipas and his father ended their on-court relationship, with the former installing Dimitris Chatzinikolaou as his main coach back in August, and the No 11 will hope that this change will be an effective one, heading into next season.