Stefanos Tsitsipas admits he no longer has the all-encompassing hunger of his younger self after suffering a shock opening-round loss at the Australian Open – the major where he has enjoyed the most success.
The charismatic Greek has long been a crowd favourite at Melbourne Park, a venue where he reached the title match in 2023 and also advanced to the semis on three other occasions.
But it was a far different story on Monday, as the 11th seed was sent packing 7-5 6-3 2-6 6-4 by free-swinging American Alex Michelsen.
“When I came around in 2018, the game was very different to what it is now – it wasn’t as physical,” said the 26-year-old Tsitsipas.
“I’ve had wins over Novak (Djokovic), and I felt like I played well, and I didn’t have to kind of exceed the most extreme version of myself in that particular match.
“I remember it quite fondly and intensely.
“The game has shifted more towards a physical game and I feel like the margins have become smaller, meaning that you’re not getting as many free points.
“I feel like innovation has stepped in and allowed players to serve even bigger than before.”
Tsitsipas still won the aces count 13-8 against Michelsen on Monday and was only just shaded in the overall winners’ tally 46-45.
But it was the American who stood up in the biggest moments, reeling off three massive return winners in the decisive ninth game of the fourth set.
It was quite the contrast with Tsitsipas’s career-changing victory over the great Roger Federer in the fourth round at Melbourne Park back in 2019.
“I would definitely say that one thing that stood out the most back then is that I had this hunger to try and make a life out of tennis and to try to have a good beginning in my tennis career and my tennis journey,” said Tsitsipas.
“It’s different than it is now.
“I’ve been quite well established in the last couple of years, and I have seen the game and I have seen all variations of games around the tour.
“I’ve done the tour over and over again, the same circle of tournaments and events.
“I’ve experienced what it is to be on the ATP Tour.
“I feel like there was a different energy, a different dynamic back then.
“But I would actually say that I’m a better player now than I was back then.”
Tsitsipas is also dealing with major changes in his support network, after sacking his father Apostolos as his coach last year, claiming it had been harming their father-son relationship.
Tsitsipas is now coached by countryman Dimitris Chatzinikolaou, although he was in no mood after his premature exit to discuss the new arrangement that allows coaches to sit courtside.
Content Source: www.perthnow.com.au