One of the brightest stars in men’s tennis, Stefanos Tsitsipas, found himself in a dark place after a shocking first-round exit at the US Open, falling to Thanasi Kokkinakis in four sets. The defeat on Grandstand was a bitter pill to swallow for the No. 11 seed, who has struggled to make an impact at Flushing Meadows, the only major where he has failed to reach the later rounds.
Tsitsipas, known for his introspective nature, opened up about his recent slump in form during a candid post-match press conference. The Greek sensation revealed that his struggles run deeper than just a few bad matches, as he confessed to suffering from “long-term burnout.” This revelation shed light on the mental and emotional toll that competing at the highest level had taken on him.
In a rare moment of vulnerability, Tsitsipas admitted, “What I’m struggling with right now is getting into that rhythm of wins and consistent good runs in Masters 1000s and big tournaments, those moments I had two or three years ago.” The former world No. 3, currently on the outskirts of the ATP Top 10, didn’t mince words when reflecting on his career trajectory since his peak in 2021.
“I’m nothing compared to the player I was before,” Tsitsipas lamented. “I remember myself playing when I was younger, playing with adrenaline on the court, feeling like my life depends on the match… These things, I feel like they have faded off, and let’s say my level of consistency hasn’t been as big.”
The tennis world watched with bated breath as Tsitsipas, often hailed as the future of the sport, grappled with his inner demons on the court. Questions loomed about his ability to bounce back from this setback and reclaim his former glory. For now, the enigmatic Greek star remains at a crossroads, searching for answers and hoping to rediscover the magic that once made him a force to be reckoned with on the ATP tour.
