That’s what one ecstatic Stefanos Tsitsipas teammate shouted as he gave the Greek an embrace following his 6-1, 6-4 victory over Casper Ruud on Sunday. It is difficult to come up with a more apt four-word summary of Tsitsipas’s revitalizing week in Monte Carlo.
Ever since seeing his mother Julia’s name on a list of previous champions there, he has dreamed of winning this competition. After her example, Tsitsipas has now done so three times, in 2021, 2022, and 2024. The third one, in his opinion, is the most significant. He ended a nine-month title drought and the associated questions about his future with it.
A relieved and emotional Tsitsipas remarked, “It’s been very difficult to be back on the podiums, winning tournaments, just feels amazing.” “Compared to the first or second time, the Holy Trinity is even more special.”
When Stef refers to his three titles in Monte Carlo as the “Holy Trinity,” you know the old, ostentatious Stef is back, don’t you?
Can we call this week his resurrection, if he’s allowed to use the name Holy Trinity? He was kicked off the stadium court on Wednesday in favor of Jannik Sinner, the current ATP player of the year. Tsitsipas was figuring out his strategy against Tomas Etcheverry even as he heard the cheers for Sinner in the large arena. After winning 6-1, 6-0, Tsitsipas declared himself to be “unstoppable.” For a guy who hadn’t done anything lately, that was a huge phrase, but it proved to be accurate.
Subsequent victories over Karen Khachanov, Alexander Zverev, the No. 5 seed, and Sinner himself were followed by a thrilling comeback win. Tsitsipas didn’t seem to care that the Italian in their semifinal gave up a third-set lead due to a faulty call and cramping. He went to his knees as if he had just won Wimbledon after the final point. Later on, he highlighted the advantages.
Tsitsipas remarked, “That was one of the best first sets I’ve played on clay.” “Just a pure, flawless game from beginning to end.”
Tsitsipas began Sunday’s match against Ruud in the same manner. He took an easy overhead early on and added a little extra oomph to it. It sounded like a hint that he was bringing everything he had and more for this final when the ball smashed into the back tarp.
Ruud put up little of a fight against Tsitsipas throughout the first set, and the latter lost 0–3 in the 2024 finals. A tighter set was the second one. Tsitsipas started to shank his and display some stress, while Ruud found his forehand.
Plan B, though, was to serve and volley. Tsitsipas charged in behind his serve more and more as the match got closer, especially with his second delivery. Though it was an unexpected move on clay, he finished 21 of 29 at net and limited the points where he seemed uneasy at the baseline. All eight break points that Tsitsipas faced were saved; at the final one, at 3-3 in the second set, he blasted in behind a second serve and produced a winning forehand volley. Ruud’s greatest opportunity was gone.
I really needed this week, especially after the difficult months I’ve had from the end of 2023 until the present, Tsitsipas remarked.
“It’s a clear indication that I’m here, that my consistency is showing, and that I can achieve great things.”
“This week was much needed, especially after the difficult months I’ve had from the last half of 2023 to the present,” Tsitsipas remarked.
When Tsitsipas refers to “big things,” he is undoubtedly referring to Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, and most importantly, Paris, where he was just one narrow set away from winning a Grand Slam title in 2021. He hasn’t taken home a championship at Roland Garros or any of the other clay Masters events, despite his passion for the material. In2024, is he able to alter that?
Tsitsipas is back in the conversation because of his victory over Sinner this week, Novak Djokovic’s ups and downs this season, and Carlos Alcaraz’s recent arm injury.
He returned to the game with Monte Carlo. It’s up to him now to prove that he can prevail.
