Greek tennis sensation, Stefanos Tsitsipas, hasn’t quite set the tennis world alight as initially anticipated. Once considered a titan amongst the top 10, the Athenian ace has seemingly veered off course, losing his competitive edge as his contemporaries have surpassed him on the Grand Slam stage.
His once formidable game has become noticeably predictable, exposing his backhand vulnerabilities and allowing his opponents to seize the upper hand.
Tsitsipas, who once reigned as the 2019 ATP Finals champion, seems to have lost the burning determination that marked the early years of his career. A player of his stature, it seems, has accepted a secondary role that does not align with his potential.
In a bid to recapture his former glory, Tsitsipas ended his professional relationship with his father and coach, Apostolos, in 2024. His current mission is to bolster his game on surfaces other than his preferred red clay, the ground where he claimed all three of his Masters 1000 titles.
The path to resurgence has not been smooth sailing for the Greek tennis star. A disappointing start to 2025 saw him ousted prematurely at the Australian Open, a tournament where he had previously excelled.
However, Tsitsipas seems to be regaining his stride at the Dubai ATP 500 this week. After a hard-fought victory over Matteo Berrettini, he found his way into the semifinals. Notably, the Greek star is wielding a new weapon - a distinctly ‘total black’ racket, a departure from his usual model.
Examining the visual details, it appears that Tsitsipas’ new racket could be a Babolat Pure Aero 98 - the same model favored by four-time Grand Slam champion Carlitos Alcaraz - or a similarly designed Wilson model.
In a recent interview, Tsitsipas candidly admitted that the continual slowing of balls and surfaces had rendered his game less threatening to his opponents. As he squares up against Tallon Griekspoor for a place in the Dubai final, fans and critics alike will be eagerly watching to see if these changes can turn the tide for the Greek ace.Dailyhunt
