MONACO — After winning the clay-court Monte Carlo Masters for the third time in four years on Sunday, Stefanos Tsitsipas sobbed in his chair after defeating Casper Ruud 6-1, 6-4.

Tsitsipas, celebrating his largest tournament victory in two years and first title of the year, sat with his head in his hands and sobbed for a little while.

“I’m really pleased with who I am now. The 12-ranked Tsitsipas, who peaked at No. 3 in 2021, stated, “I had been waiting for a moment like this for a long time.” “I had no idea what this week would hold.”

With this most recent trophy at the Monte Carlo Country Club, the big-serving Greek has now won 11 career titles. He also brought home the title in 2021 and 2022.

It feels incredible to be back on the podium and winning tournaments, Tsitsipas said, adding that “it has been very difficult.” “Compared to the first or second time, the third time is much more memorable. For me, this is an incredible victory. It was nerve-wracking to win today; I truly wanted this trinity.

It was his first prize since he emerged victorious in an ATP 250-level event held in Los Cabos, Mexico, on outdoor hard courts in August of last year.

This was far more prestigious, and he gave Ruud, who is attempting to win his first title of the year but is still only on 10 overall, a hearty hug at the net.

The encounter, which pitted former runner-ups in the French Open against one another, provided a sneak peek at form ahead of the clay-court major at Roland Garros next month.

Tsitsipas, who was ranked 12th, entered this tournament as an outsider.

However, he defeated Australian Open winner Jannik Sinner in the semifinals, delivering him just his second loss of the year, to set up a potentially surprising final matchup with Ruud, who defeated top-seeded Novak Djokovic in the other semifinal on Saturday.

Tsitsipas assumed command right away.

After Ruud, ranked seventh, flapped a weak forehand into the net from the back of the court, he broke Ruud’s serve and held for a 3-1 lead. Ruud looked uneasy and double-failed on set point.

Ruud got stronger in the second set and applied pressure on Tsitsipas, who in a tight seventh game, needed 13 minutes to maintain serve while saving three break points.

Ruud’s inconsistent performance, which included too many unforced errors and the failure to convert any of his eight break-point opportunities, seemed to come to an end with that opportunity.

To stay in the match, Ruud had to hold serve after Tsitsipas won his subsequent service game with an ace.

At 30-30, Ruud made an unintentional mistake and patted a backhand that appeared simple, giving Tsitsipas a first match point.

He grabbed hold of the opportunity.

After controlling a brief rally and winning with a forehand, Tsitsipas dropped onto his back, stretched his arms, and placed his hands on his face.

Tsitsipas remarked, “I finished it with the winner and managed the point fairly well.” “I played some vicious tennis. Throughout the entire play, my cohesiveness remained maintained.

On Monday, when the ATP rankings are revealed, Tsitsipas will rise to No. 7.