Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas hits a return against USAís Alex Michelsen during their men’s singles match on day two of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 13, 2025. (Photo by WILLIAM WEST / AFP)
Two-time Grand Slam runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas said “it sucks” after being on the end of the first big upset of the Australian Open on Monday, with the worst part having to hang around before his next tournament.
The 11th-seeded Greek, who played Novak Djokovic in the 2023 final at Melbourne Park, crashed out 7-5, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 to American Alex Michelsen in the first round.
Article continues after this advertisement“The most frustrating part about losing in the first round of a Grand Slam is that you have way too much time to recover, and I would rather have the other way around where I don’t have enough time to recover,” he said.
FEATURED STORIES SPORTS Blatche looking at life after playing, with coaching Gilas an option SPORTS PBA: CJ Perez leads San Miguel back into the win column SPORTS Pacman vs the Monster: Who is Asia’s GOAT? READ: Australian Open: Alex Michelsen upsets Tsitsipas, thanks his mom“Honestly that’s much, much better in terms of problem-solving.
tg8 fun register“It just sucks in a way that I’ll be hanging around for quite a while now before my next tournament comes in.
Article continues after this advertisement“With my competitive nature, I feel like these type of things are not really ideal for me.”
Article continues after this advertisementTsitsipas never looked comfortable against the 20-year-old, who had him running all over the court.
Article continues after this advertisement“I just tried to stay super composed out there today, I knew it was going to be a battle to the end,” said the American, ranked 42, who scored his first win over a top-20 player at a Slam.
“My serve sort of let me down a bit in the fourth set, but super happy to get through it.
Article continues after this advertisement“It’s all about the mindset. I came in with the proper mindset and I executed the game plan,” he added.
Defeat compounded Tsitsipas’s problems after a mediocre 2024 in which his ranking dropped to its current 12 from a career-high three.
China has struggled with high youth unemployment, falling consumption, and a property sector crisis in recent years, all of which threaten the government’s goal of five percent growth this year.
The performance of the world’s biggest economy has become a key factor for voters as the United States gears up for its presidential election in November.
READ: Tsitsipas ‘a champion’ despite struggles says girlfriend BadosaHe managed only one title, a repeat victory at Monte Carlo, and also suffered a first-round exit at the US Open.
Tsitsipas was hoping for a reset this year, but his season started badly when he was beaten in his opening match at the United Cup by 77th-ranked Alexander Shevchenko and he carried that form to Melbourne.
“It was a difficult first-round match. I knew I was dealing with a pretty serious opponent because I’ve played him before, and I have lost,” he said.
“I had a very slow start. In terms of finding my movements and just dominating from the serve plus one, it wasn’t really the way I’m expecting it to work.
“That led to some frustration and, let’s say, insecurity in terms of approaching my game.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
“I just hope I’m able to retrieve that back and use that as a strength within my game.”lcc
READ NEXT Barcelona routs Real Madrid again to win Spanish Super Cup final Australian Open: Jannik Sinner gets warm welcome, survives tou... EDITORS' PICK Double win for Lumad Basakanon in Sinulog sa Dakbayan 2025 Pacman vs the Monster: Who is Asia’s GOAT? Death toll from Los Angeles wildfires rises to 24 ES Bersamin hopes INC rally will help clarify issues, bring unity Tito Sotto denies receiving ‘Pepsi Paloma’ movie script LIVE UPDATES: INC National Rally for Peace MOST READ Rep. Co removed from House appropriations post; replacement pending INQToday: INC members call for peace between Sara Duterte, Bongbong Marcos LIVE UPDATES: INC National Rally for Peace PDIC to hike bank deposit protection Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments
