“I haven’t felt like this on court” – Tsitsipas on being “powerless” against Alcaraz
Stefanos Tsitsipas confessed he felt “powerless” against Carlos Alcaraz in their Roland-Garros quarter-final on Tuesday
Michael Baucher / Panoramic
Stefanos Tsitsipas has faced Carlos Alcaraz six times now, and six times he’s been well and truly dominated.
After losing his Roland-Garros quarter-final to the third seed 6-3, 7-6(3), 6-4 on Tuesday, the Greek was short on answers for improving the head-to-head.
“I haven’t felt like this on the court, and I haven’t felt against a lot of players like this on the court,” a resigned Tsitsipas said after the loss. “They are numbered on my fingers. Maybe one or two players that have been able to do that against me.”
Tsitsipas on why Alcaraz beats him so consistently
Tsitsipas did have some clues as to why it is that Alcaraz has been able to defeat him so consistently over the years.
“Every time I get to play Carlos I feel like he delivers a shot quality that I don’t quite get against other opponents,” he explained. “It triggers me as much as — it just brings me trouble.
“I feel like his shot is deep and has a lot of topspin to it and I just haven’t been able to come up with something good. He in a way overpowers me, but he’s also patient enough to do it in a very constructive way.
“He’s a fast guy. He tends to get a lot of balls back that other opponents wouldn’t otherwise get. He’s trouble. When you’re playing him, you know you’re always going to get a ball extra back.
“He’s controlling the ball exceptionally well, and he’s able to just change directions so easy,” Tsitsipas continued. “He reminds me a little bit of Novak when he plays. The way he constructs points, the way he uses his mind to come up with great solutions and tactics all the time, he just has answers to everything.
“He’s a smart player. He plays with a great tennis IQ. That makes it extremely difficult, and you really have to play very precise with him.
“The kid is just too good. I can only congratulate him because he’s really playing amazing.”
Strong Roland-Garros run comes to an end
While many will have seen this result coming, Tsitsipas didn’t. Despite the skewed head-to-head, the 25-year-old was confident that with the tennis he has been playing here at Roland-Garros, he’d be able to trouble Alcaraz.
“I was pretty sure I could face Carlos today and maybe do something different than any other time that I have played,” Tsitsipas confessed.
“I was feeling great with my tennis so far. I know I had two matches that ended up in the fourth set, and I was accumulating great confidence, especially against Arnaldi. I feel like the last three sets were phenomenal from my end. I played close to 100 percent
“I haven’t felt this way in a very long time in regards to my tennis,” the Greek explained. “Where I’m constantly pressing him, and I feel like I’m kind of getting him by the throat and not letting him breathe. I was really able to pull that off with him the other day on Suzanne Lenglen.
“I saw a great trajectory of mine being headed towards a very unique great path. I haven’t had this feeling in any Roland Garros edition that I have participated in.
“So my chances, yes, I won’t lie, I was confident,” he reflected. “I felt more confident than I usually am. Maybe that hurt me I guess. I don’t know.”
Heading into Roland-Garros, Tsitsipas had been one of the form clay players of the year, winning Monte-Carlo and making the final of Barcelona.
