ROLAND-GARROS
19 May - 8 June 2025
Carlos Alcaraz likes playing Stefanos Tsitsipas and well he might: he has beaten him in all five of their previous meetings. But saying such a thing in public may not have been wise, it just makes the likeable Stef all the more determined to get his revenge.
Day 10 - under the lights: Stoking the fire
Carlos Alcaraz fancies his chances against Stefanos Tsitsipas but the Greek has been doing his homework
“Yes, for sure it does,” Tsitsipas said, eyes widening. “It ignites a fire within my belly and I do want to get out there and show everybody that I’ve got it.
“My goal is to make it as challenging as possible and I’ll try my best to give it a good fight. He’s one of the best for a reason but I really feel like currently I’m sitting in a good place. I feel like my chances going in shouldn’t be too low because I’ve shown some good tennis on clay so far.”
Before anyone thinks that today’s encounter will be a bitter grudge match, let us take a breath. Tsitsipas is still only 25 and when he first made his breakthrough he was regarded as one of the few players capable of deposing the Big Three (Messrs Djokovic, Federer and Nadal). Then, in the blink of an eye, along came Alcaraz and overtook everyone. The Spaniard is only 21 yet he has been world No.1, he has won the US Open and Wimbledon, and he beat Djokovic to win at Wimbledon last summer.
©️Julien Crosnier / FFT“I said that I have the key against him because [I’ve won] five [times],” Alcaraz explained. “It doesn't mean I have to play at 50 per cent. I know that Stefanos is playing great, but I know tactically what I have to do in the match.
“Every day that I'm here in Roland-Garros, I'm feeling better and better. I think that's a really important part for me for the next round that I need that confidence against Stefanos.”
On the wrong end of such a one-sided record against his rival, Tsitsipas has been studying their past matches to try and work out exactly what went wrong. Forensic examination of the details reveal that Alcaraz is, indeed, one of the best of the best (hardly a surprise) and, more importantly, just how the world No.3 does it.
“For sure, I know that he likes to use his dropshots effectively,” Tsitsipas said. “He can play with all depths on the court, like coming close, staying back; he’s good at adjusting those things. That’s what makes him so great. My goal is just to get creative around all of that.”
Tsitsipas in full, aggressive flow is certainly creative but whether that will be enough on Tuesday, we wait to see. But with Alcaraz’s words ringing in his ears, he might be more creative than ever before.