The world No.9 will meet Germany's Daniel Altmaier in the singles second round
©Cédric Lecocq / FFTIf Stefanos Tstisipas hung up his rackets tomorrow, the majority of players across all time would sign up for his career already.
Eleven titles, statement victories against the 'Big Three', two major finals, it's been a pretty astonishing ride already.
Since reaching the Australian Open 2023 final, the philosophical Greek hasn't pushed for the major honours, with the likes of Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Casper Ruud taking it to Novak Djokovic.
Still only 25-years-old, Tsitsipas has plenty of time on his side. He also has plenty of belief he can become one of the dominant forces in tennis once again.
"I feel like there is a gap and I could close that gap even more. One way to look at it is I'm a late bloomer and I still need time to grow into this great player that I haven't been able to really show," the No.9 seed said.
"I have had the privilege to win the Nitto ATP Finals (2019). It is still my biggest moment in tennis. But I still feel like there's more to it than just that. I've won three times in Monte-Carlo. It's a great feeling to be crowned a Masters 1000 champion, but I still do feel like there is much more to achieve and accomplish in the sport, and it doesn't stop there.
"I keep saying 'hope, hope,' but I'm targeting those big matches that will show up at some point during hopefully this week or next week or the next few months.
"I am mentally preparing for those battles, and I know that these matches are the kind of matches that I will have to get through and perhaps write history."
Having posted notable results since 2017, the Greek has grown up in the limelight. By his late teens he was well and truly touted as a NextGen leader. The expectations from outside noise and from within took getting used to.
"I got my fair share of the 'next big thing' talk," Tsitsipas said. "I never took it seriously, because I really didn't want to be that one other guy that just happened to beat Federer or Nadal or Djokovic.
"Suddenly it's these flashy names that they give immediately to players, they obviously expect them to perform and win Grand Slams immediately after that, and I fought my own journey on that."
"There have been times in my career where I have been reflecting on the things I have achieved the last few years. Of course I wouldn't lie that I haven't been entirely satisfied and happy with let's say the way my results have shown in the last few years."
Tsitsipas, who clinched a Monte-Carlo three-peat prior to Roland-Garros, successfully navigated the first round in Paris 7-6(7), 6-4, 6-1 past Marton Fucsovics.
The Greek is set to be very busy this fortnight. Along with his pursuit of personal glory, the 25-year-old is teaming up with his brother Petros in the men's doubles, and with his girlfriend Paula Badosa in the mixed doubles.
In terms of his singles play, Tsitsipas is adamant a few key figures are currently ahead of him in the pecking order.
"Thinking about it now, I would say probably Djokovic, because he has won here a few times," he said. Tsitsipas was the Roland-Garros 2021 runner-up at the hands of Djokovic.
"Maybe not the best results from his side in the last few weeks in terms of we we're used to Djokovic winning almost every week, and it hasn't happened in the last few weeks. But I still consider him the favourite.
"Obviously Alcaraz always remains a favourite, and so does Sinner. I feel like these are opponents that can play all-around equally on all surfaces, and they have incredible shots and of course speed on the court. They have what it takes to play good on clay. And a few other players that I haven't mentioned, as well."
Surely Tsitsipas is up top in his list of 'other' players.
ROLAND-GARROS
19 May - 8 June 2025
