Tsitsipas 'Needs Matches' As He Plays Down Chances On Wimbledon Eve
Third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas has not played on grass since Wimbledon in 2019 and insists he needs matches to build up his confidence on the surface as he played down his expectations on the eve of Wimbledon.
The Greek holds a 3-3 record in the main draw at Wimbledon, but has enjoyed a superb season, recording a tour-leading 39 wins, sitting second in the FedEx ATP Race To Turin. However, he has not played since his five-set final defeat to Novak Djokovic on the clay at Roland Garros.
“I haven't really played much on grass. I've practised a couple of times,” Tsitsipas said. “I've played a few practice sets. I'm feeling all right on grass. I think it will take a few matches for me to start gaining more confidence. I just want to see how every single match that I get to play here will evolve, and what are my opportunities going to be.
“Right now I don't think I had enough matches. I didn't really have a lot of tournaments on grass. I never really played more than a tournament before the Wimbledon Championships. I think for me, I'm a player that I rely a lot on playing matches, getting confident through the process of winning. I haven't had that opportunity yet.”
Tsitsipas, whose best result at Wimbledon was a run to the fourth round (l. to Isner) in 2018, opted against playing an ATP Tour event ahead of the third Grand Slam of the year. While he lost in the first round against Thomas Fabbiano in 2019, the 22-year-old enjoys the grass swing and believes he has the game to succeed on the surface.
“Honestly, grass court is a surface that I love. But probably two years ago, I didn't really have the best result, the result that I expected. It was kind of something that tore me apart. I was a completely different person to who I am now.” Tsitsipas reflected.
“I think I'm a player that can come to the net. I'm confident when it comes to serving and volleying, moving in. The surface has become slightly slower over the years. [It] has been adapted more for baseline players, given the opportunity for baseliners, good baseliners, to dominate and do well on that surface,” Tsitsipas added.
The World No. 4, who won the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters (d. Rublev) in April, will begin against American Frances Tiafoe on Court One on Monday. Despite his lack of matches, Tsitsipas is feeling mentally prepared and thinks he can use his previous experiences at Wimbledon to his advantage this year.
“[I] spent a few days in the countryside just outside London [after Roland Garros]. I had a few days off for relaxation, some good physiotherapy, and rehab for my body to be ready for the grass-court season,” Tsitsipas said. “I started practising like almost eight days ago, getting back to the new style of tennis, which is the grass-court tennis.
“[In 2019] I didn't really have plan B or plan C. I just kind of had my one way of playing. With experience and having had that experience in the past, that obviously helps me move on. I see things a different way than I used to before.”