‘I Have Been Working With a Psychologist’ – Monte Carlo Masters Champion Stefanos Tsitsipas Reveals One of the Pillars Behind His Success

Stefanos Tsitsipas is up and running. The young Greek clinched his first title this season after an impressive week in Monte Carlo, Monaco. He defeated Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the summit clash to defend his Monte Carlo Masters title. En route to his title clash, Fokina recorded memorable wins against big names like Novak Djokovic, Taylor Fritz, and Grigor Dimitrov. However, Tsitsipas prevailed over him in straight sets 6-3, 7-6 (3) in an hour and 36 minutes.

Further, Tsitsipas was ecstatic after his impressive performance at the tournament. He had defeated Fabio Fognini, Diego Schwartzman, Alexander Zverev, and others en route to the title. Subsequently, after his finals victory, Tsitsipas named a special person, who has helped him since his junior days in tennis.

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Stefanos Tsitsipas opens up about working with a psychologist

During the post-match interview after his victory over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, an interviewer asked Tsitsipas whether he was working with a psychologist to prepare mentally for tough matches. Tsitsipas said, “Well, for the most part, being on ATP Tour, I have been working with a psychologist. In fact not only now but I have been working with him in my junior prime years, starting from as young as 12 years old. Yeah, he’s helping me a lot, yeah.” 

In today’s competitive age of sports, along with technical ability, it has also become necessary to prepare mentally for tough matches. Take the example of Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard played one of the best matches of his career in the finals of the Australian Open. He showed tremendous physical and mental ability to come back from two sets to love down to defeat Daniil Medvedev and lift his 21st Grand Slam title.

The Monte Carlo Masters victory has ensured a perfect start for Tsitsipas on his favorite surface. He will next play at the Barcelona Open in Spain. The 23-year-old is the top seed in the ATP 500 tournament. Handed a bye in the opening round, he will face the winner of the match between Ilya Ivashka and Pedro Martinez in the second round.

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Runner-up in 2021, can Tsitsipas go the distance in Barcelona this year to claim his second title of the season? It will be intriguing to witness Tsitsipas’ journey at the Barcelona Open.