via Getty
HAMBURG, GERMANY – JULY 15: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally enhanced) Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece attends a training session with his father Apostolos Tsitsipas of Greece during the Hamburg European Open 2021 at Rothenbaum on July 15, 2021 in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Scheuber/Getty Images for matchmakers)
via Getty
HAMBURG, GERMANY – JULY 15: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally enhanced) Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece attends a training session with his father Apostolos Tsitsipas of Greece during the Hamburg European Open 2021 at Rothenbaum on July 15, 2021 in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Scheuber/Getty Images for matchmakers)
The moment when Stefanos Tsitsipas entered the ATP 500 event in Rotterdam alongside Thomas Enqvist, there were speculations over him replacing his father Apostolos with Thomas. But, the Greek star put all the rumors to rest by announcing that his father is still his coach and Enqvist is an addition to the team.
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Stefanos Tsitsipas makes it clear regarding his coaching situation
“Enqvist is an addition to my team, that’s what he is. It’s important to have a person like him on my team,” the Greek star explained. At the moment, there is still less clarity on how long Thomas will continue his work with Tsitsipas.
#Tsitsipas: "Enqvist is an addition to my team, that's what he is. It's important to have a person like him on my team". pic.twitter.com/ZeolFiRQQd
— Lorenzo Ercoli (@Ladal17) February 10, 2022
Tsitsipas believes that the reason to add the former world no.4 to his team is to have a different perspective. The Greek also mentioned that he is open to any new idea that Enqvist comes up with. It’s a welcome change to see Tsitsipas trying to get more thoughts from his box as it will aid him in his grand slam quest.
#Tsitsipas: "Enqvist has a lot of experience on the tour and I respect him a lot. The reason Thomas is here is to help me, give me another perspective and give me some ideas. I'm here to listen whatever he has to told me. We have good energy between us". pic.twitter.com/nhPNLl3ps3
— Lorenzo Ercoli (@Ladal17) February 10, 2022
Coming to Rotterdam open, the world no.4 reached the quarters after defeating Ilya Ivashka in straight sets. In a tricky opening round match, Tsitsipas defeated Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in a three-set thriler. One of the favorites to win the ATP 500 event, Stefanos will now meet Alex de Minaur in the last eight.
Tsitsipas will enter Roland Garros as a favorite this year
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The tail end of 2021 didn’t turn out to be fruitful for Stefanos Tsitsipas as he struggled with his elbow and also pulled out of the ATP Finals in Turin. He underwent surgery for the same in November and reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open, where he lost to Daniil Medvedev in four sets.
via Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 26, 2022 Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in action during his quarter final match against Italy’s Jannik Sinner REUTERS/Morgan Sette
Even though the Greek player has been producing consistent results at slams in Melbourne and Paris, he is yet to reach the same level at Wimbledon and also at the US Open. Last year, Tsitsipas had a chance to capture his first-ever Grand Slam title at Roland Garros and was a set away from winning it.
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But, Novak Djokovic proved to be too good once again for the next gen as he bounced back from two sets down to clinch his 19th Grand Slam title. Looking at the French Open this year, Tsitsipas will be a huge favorite alongside Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
Also read: ‘I Don’t Always Get It’: Rafael Nadal Tries to Comprehend Why He Has Numerous On-Court Rituals
