‘Always Tricky’: Stefanos Tsitsipas Dusts Off Australian Open Setback As He Moves Indoors for ATP Rotterdam

Stefanos Tsitsipas lost to Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals at the Australian Open 2022. He had enjoyed a solid run in the tournament and played some exquisite tennis, especially in the quarter-final, against Jannik Sinner. Thus, losing in the semis to a frequent foe would’ve been a disappointment for Tsitsipas.

But he’s now back on the tour, ready for the next challenge. The World No. 4 is now preparing for his match at Rotterdam. In the pre-tournament press conference, Tsitsipas said that he knew that the conditions in Rotterdam will be significantly different to the outdoor matches he’s been playing.

In the first round of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament, he will be meeting the Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. In their only previous encounter at the 2021 Monte-Carlo Masters, Fokina had to retire after playing the first set.

“I think first rounds are always the most challenging,” said Tsitsipas. “Having to play in new conditions…this is something that has to be dealt with well… [Alejandro is] a strong opponent and he’s going to try and bring the best out of his game.”

Also read: Stefanos Tsitsipas’ Fans Fume As Alexander Zverev Violates an On-Court Rule During ATP Montpellier Finals

Stefanos Tsitsipas is ready for anything

Tsitsipas mentioned that it was difficult adjusting to new conditions, but he would be giving his best in order to be in his best shape. The seven-time tour-level winner has previously proven that his body can handle this switch. He reached the semifinals at Rotterdam last year, losing to the eventual champion, Andrey Rublev.

“It takes a little bit more time to adjust here, having played outdoors for a long time… It’s always tricky coming back and playing indoors, so I think a few days of practice will definitely help adjust to these new conditions,” Tsitsipas said in his pre-tournament press conference.

He spoke about how did not want to be known as a player who is only good on one surface. He also said that he was confident about his skills when it comes to playing on all surfaces. How deep do you think Stefanos can go in the tournament?

WATCH THIS STORY: From Locker Room Fight to Deportation: Biggest Australian Open 2022 Controversies