Back in action in Hamburg, Tsitsipas reflects on Roland-Garros and Wimbledon

Stefanos Tsitsipas made a winning return to the clay on Wednesday in Hamburg, taking down Germany’s Dominik Koepfer, 7-6(2), 6-3 to book a quarter-final clash with Serbia’s Filip Krajinovic, the No 6 seed. Tsitsipas, playing his first match since falling in the first round at Wimbledon to Frances Tiafoe, was in control of the close contest, earning 14 break points against Koepfer and dropping just five first serve points out of 35.

“It was a very challenging against Dominik,” Tsitsipas said. “He showed incredible fighting spirit, didn’t make things easy for me. He’s one of the toughest opponents that I’ve faced this year.”

Tsitsipas improes to 40-10 on the season and 23-4 on clay with his victory. The Greek, a finalist last year in Hamburg, is the first ATP player to reach 40 victories in 2021.

Koepfer drops to 1-8 lifetime against top-10 players with the loss, and 14-16 on the season.

Reflecting on Roland-Garros: “I was weaker than Novak”

Speaking before the tournament to tournament ambassador Andrea Petkovic, Tsitsipas rehashed his loss from two sets to love up in the Roland-Garros final on June 13.

“Talking about that match there were a lot of physical elements that I was weaker at than Novak, and I think that was the main reason why I wasn’t able to withstand that match and play at the level that I was playing,” he said. “So for sure, there are a few things that, of course, with my team, I will have to discuss and come to a solution to be able to win my first Grand Slam.”

Read also

“He was like a different player suddenly”: Tsitsipas surprised by Djokovic’s level after returning from locker room

Tennis Majors

Tsitsipas says the setback has not been easy to get over.

“I was really close, for sure,” he said. “And it was frustrating and sad at the end, although I really didn’t show it at the locker room it was a difficult moment to reflect to. It wasn’t easy—especially when you are that close.”

Read also

“50-50” on Tokyo, Novak Djokovic is considering skipping out on Olympic Games and Golden Slam quest

Tennis Majors

Still angry about Wimbledon first-round loss

The Greek says he is eager to put his Wimbledon loss behind this week in Hamburg, as he looks ahead to the Olympics in Tokyo

“I didn’t have, obviously, the best performances at Wimbledon and that is one of the main reasons I’m here,” Tsitsipas told the ATP in an interview.

He told the press: “I try to get the most out of every game. This match against Tiafoe is complicated. I am still very angry with what happened. II came to Wimbledon with the idea of wanting to play a good role, to do a very different result from previous years, but it didn’t work.