Fiery red, just like his Australian Open outfit! That would describe none other than Stefanos Tsitsipas. No stranger to drama, both on and off the court, the Greek star arrived in Melbourne with sky-high hopes and a fierce determination after a challenging season last year. But as the tournament heats up, it seems the stars aren’t quite aligning for him. And his frustration is bubbling over. True to his larger-than-life persona, Tsitsipas isn’t hiding his big emotions.

The Greek tennis sensation is currently playing his first match against 20-year-old Alex Michelsen at the John Cain Arena. In a surprising scenario, he has already lost the first two sets and is trailing behind miserably. Despite winning the third set, he lost his momentum once in the fourth set and then trailed behind 3-1. But what caught the attention of all was the furious gesture that came from the ATP star.

Tsitsipas was seen smashing his rackets against his bag several times during the changeover. He also engaged in a tussle with his team as he was seen berating them furiously during the match. Remember, these emotions are arising probably due to the challenging phase that Tsitsipas has been witnessing recently.

Match update: Stefanos Tsitsipas loses in four sets: 5-7, 3-6, 6-2, 4-6.

The 26-year-old witnessed some concerning results in the Grand Slams last year. His best run came at the French Open where he qualified for the quarterfinals. But with the season unfolding, his challenges grew further with the star player witnessing a first-round exit at the US Open. But as he entered Melbourne, Tsitsipas exuded immense confidence and remained hopeful of achieving great success. “Traveling so far overseas and having that feeling of home allows me to feel good within my comfort zone. I think that’s also why my tennis thrives and I feel better with my game,” he said ahead of his campaign.

However, with the results of the match going against him, the Greek star lost his cool as was evidenced by his gestures. And this is not the first time that Tsitsipas has depicted such frustration on the courts. Playing in the first round of the mixed doubles at the US Open last year alongside girlfriend Paula Badosa, Tsitsipas fired a shot that fell outside the courts. This left him visibly furious and he smashed his racket against the ground. His latest defeat, meanwhile, has once again increased the wait for the star player to inch closer to a Grand Slam title. And guess what? Tsitsipas is well aware of his downfall.

When Stefanos Tsitsipas made an honest assessment of his performance

Stefanos Tsitsipas was once a growing star on the courts. Reaching a career-high ranking of No. 3 in 2021, the Greek star proved that he was on the court to make a statement. However, the last season presented him with a vulnerable form with not much success coming his way. Taking note of the same, Tsitsipas acknowledged his downfall and claimed that he was not the same player anymore that he had once been.

Speaking after his US Open campaign came to an end last year, Tsitsipas said, “I’m nothing compared to the player I was before. I remember myself playing when I was younger, playing with adrenaline on the court, feeling like my life depends on the match… These things, I feel like they have faded off, and let’s say my level of consistency hasn’t been as big.” And now, his poor form seems to continue. 

However, many believe Tsitsipas still has the prowess and grit to fight his way to a Slam title. Although his Australian Open campaign is done and dusted, the Greek just needs to find a new fire under his feet to carry him through the calendar. Will situations change for him going ahead? Time will tell.