(GCT) – Stefanos Tsitsipas ended practically a year-long trophy drought by claiming the Dubai Championships title on Saturday, enjoying with a brand new “thriller” racket that has helped reignite his type.
The 26-year-old’s first ATP 500 title since Monte Carlo in April 2023 noticed him return to the highest 10 on the planet rankings for the primary time since Could.
“These are the moments we try for as skilled tennis gamers,” stated Tsitsipas, who climbed to world quantity 9 after the newest rankings have been launched on Monday. “Being within the high 10 is among the biggest emotions, and it comes with exhausting work and sacrifices. I’m glad to be able to have fun.”
After reaching a career-high world quantity three in 2023, Tsitsipas skilled a hunch, disappointing exits within the first rounds of his final two Grand Slams. His once-dominant all-court recreation misplaced its edge, and he started struggling losses to lower-ranked opponents. Nevertheless, a change in racket tools forward of Dubai gave him the enhance he wanted, securing his twelfth tour-level trophy.
The Greek performed with a blacked-out racket, typically utilized by gamers testing new gear, as he defeated Lorenzo Sonego, Karen Khachanov, Matteo Berrettini, and Tallon Griekspoor earlier than overcoming Felix Auger-Aliassime within the ultimate.
“Consolation is one factor the racket brings to my recreation,” Tsitsipas defined earlier than the ultimate. “That’s one thing I used to be aiming so as to add to my recreation. I’ve been getting some further assist from it. The balls and courts have modified over the previous few years, so I’m simply making an attempt to adapt.”
Looking forward to the hard-court tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami earlier than the European claycourt season, Tsitsipas emphasised the essential significance of looking for enchancment.
“These modifications are generally obligatory. You don’t need to get caught in the identical sample,” stated Tsitsipas, a former French Open finalist. “It feels refreshing, and it provides enthusiasm to my each day work.”
