Stefanos Tsitsipas lost to Casper Ruud, 7-6, 6-7, 6-7, in the fourth round of the Madrid Open.
The former world number three failed to convert match points in one of the best matches of the 2026 season.
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Tsitsipas was understandably disappointed with the result, but he can be pleased with the level he produced, reminding fans of the player he once was.
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The 27-year-old took to X to share his thoughts on the match.
“I felt like myself again on the court yesterday, which is why the outcome hurts,” said Tsitsipas.
“But sometimes you have to take the pain just to feel alive.
“Congrats to Casper [Ruud] – he’s a champion, and I wish him the best in his title defence.
“The journey continues into Rome.”
Tsitsipas will travel to Rome with newfound confidence, having just won three matches in a row for the first time since the United Cup in January.
Stefanos Tsitsipas’ 2026 results
| Match | Opponent | Result | Score |
| United Cup – GS | Shintaro Mochizuki | WIN | 6-3, 6-4 |
| United Cup – GS | Billy Harris | WIN | 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 |
| United Cup – QF | Taylor Fritz | WIN | 6-4, 7-5 |
| Adelaide International – 1R | Aleksandar Vukic | LOSS | 6-7, 6-7 |
| Australian Open – 1R | Shintaro Mochizuki | WIN | 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 |
| Australian Open – 2R | Tomas Machac | LOSS | 4-6, 6-3, 6-7, 6-7 |
| Rotterdam Open – 1R | Arthur Rinderknech | WIN | 7-5, 6-3 |
| Rotterdam Open – 2R | Botic van de Zandschulp | LOSS | 4-6, 6-7 |
| Qatar Open – 1R | Moez Echargui | WIN | 6-4, 6-4 |
| Qatar Open – 2R | Daniil Medvedev | WIN | 6-3, 6-4 |
| Qatar Open – QF | Andrey Rublev | LOSS | 3-6, 6-7 |
| Dubai Tennis Championships – 1R | Ugo Humbert | LOSS | 4-6, 5-7 |
| Indian Wells – 1R | Denis Shapovalov | LOSS | 2-6, 6-3, 4-6 |
| Miami Open – 1R | Arthur Fery | WIN | 6-1, 7-6 |
| Miami Open – 2R | Alex de Minaur | WIN | 6-3, 7-6 |
| Miami Open – 3R | Arthur Fils | LOSS | 0-6, 1-6 |
| Monte Carlo Masters – 1R | Francisco Cerundolo | LOSS | 5-7, 4-6 |
| Munich Open – 1R | Fabian Marozsan | LOSS | 6-3, 6-7, 4-6 |
| Madrid Open – 1R | Patrick Kypson | WIN | 3-6, 7-6, 7-6 |
| Madrid Open – 2R | Alexander Bublik | WIN | 6-2, 7-5 |
| Madrid Open – 3R | Daniel Merida | WIN | 6-4, 6-2 |
| Madrid Open – 4R | Casper Ruud | LOSS | 7-6, 6-7, 6-7 |
It’s probably a bit early to say ‘he’s back’, but there were certainly some promising signs in Madrid.
If Tsitsipas continues to play that way at the Italian Open, there’s no reason why he can’t make another deep run.
What Jim Courier said about Stefanos Tsitsipas’ future
After losing 6-0, 6-1 to Arthur Fils in Miami, Tsitsipas lost his first two matches on clay this year, in Monte Carlo and Munich.
Those defeats saw Tsitsipas tumble down the rankings, all the way to 80th.
In the last five years, Tsitsipas has been a win away from becoming world number one and a set away from winning a Grand Slam.
Before Madrid, you may have been ridiculed for suggesting Tsitsipas would ever reach those heights again.
But tennis legend Jim Courier still believed Tsitsipas could return to the top of men’s tennis.
“Personally, I think he’s got everything he needs to get right back into the mix,” he said.
“I think he can turn it around, and I hope he does.”
Tsitsipas is 80th in the world rankings, but thanks to his run to the fourth round in Madrid, he sits 75th in the ‘Live ATP Rankings’.
Live ATP Rankings
| Rank | Name | Country | Points |
| 71 | Valentin Royer | France | 794 |
| 72 | Arthur Cazaux | France | 777 |
| 73 | Juan Manuel Cerundolo | Argentina | 776 |
| 74 | Reilly Opelka | USA | 768 |
| 75 | Stefanos Tsitsipas | Greece | 765 |
| 76 | Kamil Majchrzak | Poland | 747 |
| 77 | Marco Trungelliti | Argentina | 743 |
| 78 | Dino Prizmic | Croatia | 740 |
| 79 | Mattia Bellucci | Italy | 734 |
| 80 | Marcos Giron | USA | 733 |
In 2025, Tsitsipas only won five matches after the Madrid Open, so has very few points to defend in the second half of the season.
Therefore, he has a chance to climb back up the rankings, providing his form doesn’t dip again.
Only time will tell what the future holds for Tsitsipas, but he is definitely someone to keep an eye on over the coming months.
Tsitsipas will return to action at the Italian Open, which begins on Tuesday, May 5.
