ROLAND GARROS

May 27, 2024

Stefanos Tsitsipas

Press Conference

S. TSITSIPAS/M. Fucsovics

7-6, 6-4, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Stef, first, if you can walk us through this match. What do you think was the key?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: The first set was a crucial moment of the match where we were both fighting and trying to see which way it goes. There was a lot of tension at a certain moment in the tiebreaker. He was leading 4-2 and had a massive opportunity to make something with it. But eventually I found my way back into the match and I had to save a few set points. He saved a few as well on my serve. So it became a big battle getting up to 6-All. I think that was the defining moment of who is going to be a little bit braver and who is gonna deal with the situation a little bit more calmly.

I think there were a few unforced errors that came his way, and I really tried to put as many balls as I could into the court and make it hard for him. I escaped the first set. I won it, which was great, because it gave me a great, like, confidence boost to start the second strong, and I did so by breaking him early.

I felt much more loose in my shot-making, much more fluid in the way my shot started pressing a little bit more. I was not too much concerned of, like, I've gotta make shots into the court. It was more like I can risk a little bit more now, I can let my arm a little bit more free.

Of course it was a great of outcome when I was able to play that way. The next two sets were quite solid from my end, and I made a great big step to start playing towards the way I wanted from the beginning of the match. Yeah.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. Well done today. I don't know how much you've been keeping up with your rivals. Obviously there were some doubts about Novak, Jannik, and Carlos coming in. What do you think their chances are like at the French and what do you think your chances are like after your great start to the clay?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Well, I think it's split equally from all sides. There is not one particular player that is perhaps -- you know, like thinking about it now, I would say probably it's Novak Djokovic is still the favorite, because he has won here a few times. I would still believe that he's considered someone, despite maybe not the best results from his side in the last few weeks in terms of we were used to Djokovic winning almost every week, and it hasn't happened in the last few weeks. But I still consider him the favorite.

Obviously Carlos Alcaraz always remains the favorite, and so does Jannik Sinner. I feel like these are opponents that can play all-around equally on all surfaces, and they have incredible shots and of course speed on the court. They have what it takes to play good on clay. And a few other players that I haven't mentioned, as well.

Q. When you were coming up and you were sort of 19, 20 years old and you were beating people like Roger, Novak, people put so much expectation on your shoulders and it feels like then they move on to the next shiny thing like someone like Carlos or Jannik or Rune. How does that feel like for you mentally to be put on such a pedestal when you're so young and then have to kind of get to your mid 20s and feel like you haven't done what people told you you should have done?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Well, I got my fair share of, let's say, the next big thing, as they said, next big thing after Federer, I got that a lot.

I never took it seriously, because I really didn't want to be that one other guy that just happened to beat Roger Federer or Rafa Nadal or Novak Djokovic. Suddenly it's these titles that they give immediately to players and these big sort of flashy names that they obviously expect them to perform and win Grand Slams immediately after that, and I fought my own journey on that.

There have been times in my career where I have been reflecting on the things I have achieved the last few years. Of course I wouldn't lie that I haven't been entirely satisfied and happy with let's say the way my results have shown in the last few years.

I feel like there is a gap and I could close that gap even more. There are two ways that I look at it. One is like I'm a late bloomer and I still need time to grow into this great player that I haven't been able to really show.

I have had the chance and privilege to win the Nitto Finals. It is still my biggest moment in tennis. But I still feel like there's more to it than just that. I've won three times in Monte-Carlo. It's a great feeling to be crowned the Masters 1000 champion, but I still do feel like there is much more to achieve and accomplish in the sport, and it doesn't stop there.

I just wait for my opportunities. I hope they show up, and I hope -- there is obviously a lot of hope, and I keep saying "hope, hope," but I'm targeting those big matches that will show up at some point during hopefully this week or next week or the next few months.

I am mentally preparing for those battles, and I know that these matches are the kind of matches that I will have to get through and perhaps write history if I am able to overtake them and win them and capture those moments in a positive way.