Stefanos Tsitsipas ended practically a year-long trophy drought on Saturday, capturing the Dubai Championships title with a brand new “mystery” racket, marking a profitable reward for his gear change.
The 26-year-old’s first tour title since Monte Carlo final April not solely ended his ATP 500 drought but in addition propelled him again into the highest 10 of the world rankings for the primary time since May.
“These are the things we fight for as professional tennis players,” Tsitsipas mentioned after rising to No. 9 within the rankings, up to date on Monday. “Owning a spot in the top 10 is one of the greatest feelings a tennis player can experience. It comes with hard work and sacrifices, but I’m happy to be in a position to truly celebrate.”
Tsitsipas, who briefly ranked No. 3 in 2023 after a run to the Australian Open closing, had struggled not too long ago, struggling first-round exits at his final two Grand Slams.
His all-court recreation had misplaced its menace, and losses to lower-ranked gamers started to mount. But altering his racket for Dubai gave him the firepower wanted to assert his twelfth tour-level trophy.
Playing with a blacked-out body, as gamers do when trialing new gear, Tsitsipas defeated Lorenzo Sonego, Karen Khachanov, Matteo Berrettini and Tallon Griekspoor earlier than downing Felix Auger-Aliassime within the closing.
“Comfort is one thing that it brings to my game,” Tsitsipas mentioned about his racket forward of the ultimate. “That’s one thing I used to be attempting so as to add into my recreation.
“I’ve been receiving some of that extra help. I’ve spoken about how balls and courts have changed over the last couple of years. That’s just me trying to adapt to that.”
Tsitsipas, who will purpose for fulfillment at Indian Wells and Miami forward of the European clay-court swing, mentioned it might have been silly to not search methods to enhance his recreation.
“These changes sometimes are necessary because you don’t want to be stuck in the same pattern,” the previous French Open runner-up added.
“I feel like it’s something refreshing and a good addition so far. It definitely brings that refreshing feeling and adds a bit of life and enthusiasm to my everyday going to work.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com