Stefanos Tsitsipas's first grass adventure in 2023 didn't go very well as he became part of Gasquet's legacy becoming his 600th win.
Being part of tennis history is always a goal for many players but having a supporting role in that feature film isn't the ideal scenario. Tsitsipas has had a lot of those in his career. Losing to Djokovic at Roland Garros a few years ago, losing to him at the Australian Open this year, and now losing to Gasquet at the Stuttgart Open.
The latest one doesn't have quite the same ring as the previous two but still, it was a memorable win for Gasuqet, his 600th win as a player. He became the 4th active player to do that. As for Tsitsipas, he spoke to BILD before the match where he talked about not wanting to obsess over winning a grand slam. He explained it as a goal and dream but not something that he'll obsess about.
If I don't manage to win a Grand Slam, I will still be the same happy Stefanos that I am today. I don't want this to become an obsession. It's a goal, a dream, yes.
Tsitsipas does seem very happy off the court these days. His escapades have been well documented in recent weeks but his on-court level hasn't lived up to what many hoped it would be. Touted as the next big thing a few years ago, Tsitsipas has hit a wall and he's yet to tear it down. Some have suggested some powerful sledgehammers but for now, he's cruising as it is.
The confidence is unwavering. That's a positive but too much confidence can feed into delusion and there is a very thin line. For now, Tsitsipas is comfortable with where he's at and that's what matters. He sees himself as a future number one in the world. He was asked by BILD if he'll get there quicker than Zverev and he thinks he will.
If I could bet money, I would bet it on myself. Of course, I see myself as number 1 at some point. The competition is tough, of course. Zverev was out for a long time with his serious injury, I played all that time. I wish him the best that he recovers quickly. Such injuries are painful – physically and psychologically. It's never not nice to see a competitor stumble so badly and be out for so long.
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