Stefanos Tsitsipas kicks off quest for third Monte Carlo title, advances via Djere retirement

Despite a slow start to the 2024 season, Stefanos Tsitsipas is starting to gather some good vibes as he kicks off his quest for a third title at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.

“I felt good, like I was reliving the beginning and the very start of that 2021 run, if I’m not mistaken, where I had this very good first round,” recalled the former world No. 3 after advancing against an injured Laslo Djere, leading 6-3, 3-2. “Today was a very good example of that, and I was able to strike the ball pretty well. At times, I felt like I was overdoing it; some of the misses I was having, I was really trying to go a little bit too much for it. Once I toned down my shots, I got more quality instead of going for too much. Otherwise, it was a great match. I’m happy with the way I served. I didn’t have the highest percentage of first serves, but I still managed to control it pretty well.

“I guess you were also happy watching me from here,” he added, joking with TC host Prakash Amritraj. “It definitely helps to have a great view!”

Like many in tennis, including earlier Monday winners Félix Auger-Aliassime and Grigor Dimitrov, Tsitsipas calls Monte Carlo home, and has been at his absolute best at the eponymous Country Club with two titles already under his belt. The first fulfilled a bit of destiny, as his mother Julia Apostoli famously won a competition on these grounds before Tsitsipas was born.

“When I’m not playing tournaments, you are most likely to find me here,” said Tsitsipas. “I’m a very familiar face among the members and all the people that do play here. I do enjoy being here. It’s a great place, in my opinion, to be away from tour and zone out a little bit between tournaments. I love it. We also have hard courts back there, so we can practice on pretty much every surface. I’m going to try and apply for some grass courts. All the players should apply for grass courts here to make it a really super club to be a member at!”

His first of back-to-back victories in 2021 foreshadowed a run to the Roland Garros final, where he came closest to winning a major title with a two-set lead on Novak Djokovic. The 25-year-old has largely struggled with injuries and inconsistency since reaching a second major final at the 2023 Australian Open, entering Monte Carlo outside the Top 10 for the first time since 2019.

Still, the other half of Tsitsidosa and the king of inspirational quotes is optimistic about his chances, both on his favorite surface and at his favorite tournament.

“Clay court is a very tactical surface, I believe,” the Greek mused in his visit to the Tennis Channel Live Desk. “It gives you time to really structure your point, give some shape and thought. I’ve played a lot of clay, and at times I feel like I’ve been stuck at the baseline and haven’t been moving in too much. I’m going to try a little more to take those chances and move in when the ball is shorter. This is something I’ve been working on a lot and I hope I can really utilize it and progress that way throughout the entire clay season. I have been raised on these courts, and I’ve practiced on them so many times. It has allowed me to figure out certain things a little bit better. Definitely, the topspin that I use a lot benefits me winning points and gives me lots of opportunities to do big things on this surface.

“Otherwise, I’m joyful playing this event and that I have the opportunity to be around my friends and my family. This is something I’m definitely grateful for every single day when I’m here. I hope I can build the memories with all of them while I’m here and I can sort of imagine myself on the podium in a few days’ time.”

As the No. 12 seed in Monte Carlo, Tsitsipas is in the same section as No. 5 seed Alexander Zverev, but will next face either Nicolás Jarry or Tomás Martín Etcheverry for a spot in the third round.