Stefanos Tsitsipas advanced to the Madrid Open fourth round on Monday after defeating home favourite Daniel Merida.
The Greek star, a former world number three, defeated the Spanish youngster 6-4, 6-2 in the Arantxa Sanchez Stadium.
It has been a tough year for Tsitsipas – he has suffered numerous early exits at ATP events and has consequently fallen to world number 80.
However, the 27-year-old has managed to recapture some of his best form in Madrid, proving to onlookers that he still possesses the game to beat some of the best players on the ATP Tour.
Tsitsipas has received a lot of criticism for his play over the last year – much of which has been justified.
Today, the Greek star deserves praise.
Stefanos Tsitsipas deserves credit for his performances in Madrid
Earlier this week, Stefanos Tsitsipas’ game was branded ‘inadequate’ by Jim Courier [pictured below] during the Greek star’s victory over Alexander Bublik.
“For too long, the weaknesses in his game have remained. His slice backhand, inadequate. His backhand return, inadequate,” the former world number one said on The Tennis Channel.
“His inability on other surfaces to recognise that he should be standing back to hit second serve returns so he can hit more forehands, that’s a failure.
“He has not recognised that the game is moving past him and that he needs to continue to improve what shouldn’t be that difficult to improve from where I’m sitting.”]
Stefanos Tsitsipas’ Madrid Open campaign so far
- Round One: defeated Patrick Kypson 3-6, 7-6, 7-6
- Round Two: defeated Alexander Bublik 6-2, 7-5
- Round Three: defeated Daniel Merida 6-4, 6-2
- Round Four: Casper Ruud
The comments from Courier were damning – they represented the latest in a long line of criticisms aimed towards the Greek star.
One must take a step back and analyse Tsitsipas’ situation in its entirety.
Last year, the Greek battled through a coaching roundabout and suffered an injury-hit season; the former major finalist even considered retiring from his playing career due to the back pain he suffered throughout the 2025 season.
With these factors in mind, it is hardly surprising that Tsitsipas’ form suffered.
Tsitsipas has stomached so much criticism over the past year – some fair, some unfair. Despite the constant critiques, Tsitsipas has continued to persevere.
This week, the Greek star has proven many of his critics wrong – he is still capable of performing at a high level at Masters 1000 events.
And if the two-time Slam finalist continues to perform at his current level, who knows what he could achieve in Madrid?
Stefanos Tsitsipas reached a Masters round of 16 for the first time in over one year
Tsitsipas last made the round of 16 of a Masters 1000 event in April last year.
At the Monte Carlo Masters, Tsitsipas defeated Jordan Thompson and Nuno Borges, before losing to Lorenzo Musetti in the quarter-finals.
Tsitsipas will have the opportunity to feature in another Masters 1000 quarter-final, should he defeat Casper Ruud in the Madrid Open round of 16 this week.
Should the ATP Tour introduce a new grass-court Masters event? 💭
If so, where should the tournament be held?
Tsitsipas has a 2-3 record against Ruud, losing his last match to the Norwegian in the 2024 Barcelona Open final.
“I think there was plenty to take from today,” Tsitsipas said after beating Merida on Monday while speaking to the ATP. “I was solid, I was playing my game and applying a great lot of pressure on the court.
“I’m just really joyful to see myself perform at such a high level. I wasn’t giving much and that’s what made me a strong opponent today.”
