Tsitsipas Reflects on Unexpected Australian Open Exit: 'Karma Came Back to Me'
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Melbourne, Jan 13 (NationPress) Stefanos Tsitsipas, in a candid moment after his shocking first-round departure from the Australian Open, acknowledged that his strategy of withdrawing from doubles to conserve energy turned out to be a huge miscalculation.
"It’s quite ironic. My entire [plan] was to aim for a deep run in the Australian Open... I suppose karma struck," Tsitsipas remarked following his four-set defeat against American Alex Michelsen. The Greek athlete's early exit was a significant contrast to his typical success at Melbourne Park, where he has frequently excelled as one of the tournament’s top competitors.
Tsitsipas, who has reached the semi-finals three times and was the 2023 runner-up in Melbourne, made a strategic decision to focus on singles by stepping back from doubles with his brother, Petros. His objective was straightforward: conserve energy for an extensive run in the tournament. However, the plan fell apart when the 26-year-old succumbed to the younger Michelsen, who showcased superior shot-making and poise in pivotal moments.
"I was unable to perform or play to the level I anticipated at this year's event," Tsitsipas acknowledged. “The whole aim was simply to conserve energy and feel fresher... but that didn’t pan out.”
This loss also led Tsitsipas to contemplate how his drive and mindset have transformed over the years. “I definitely had a clearer mindset back then. I felt much hungrier in a completely different manner compared to now,” he reminisced about his groundbreaking 2019 Australian Open journey, where he notably defeated Roger Federer on his way to the semi-finals.
While Tsitsipas recognizes that his enthusiasm for tennis remains intact, he feels that his career stability has altered his approach. “I’ve been fairly well-established over the past few years... I sense a different energy and dynamic back then. I would argue I’m a better player now, even with these losses.”
The defeat against Michelsen also underscored a sluggish start to Tsitsipas’ 2025 season. With two losses out of his first three matches, the former World No. 3 is grappling for consistency. “The most vexing part about losing in the first round of a Grand Slam is that you have far too much time to recover,” he said. “Honestly, that’s quite beneficial for problem-solving. It’s just frustrating that I’ll be lingering for quite some time before my next tournament.”
Despite the disappointment, Tsitsipas remains hopeful about his performance, confident that he has grown both technically and tactically. “I believe I’m significantly improved as a player compared to before,” he stated, referencing enhancements in his topspin-heavy style and overall reliability.
