How Stefanos Tsitsipas hopes David Ferrer-like qualities will propel him to maiden Grand Slam ahead of French Open
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Updated 15/05/2023 at 19:33 GMT
With the 2023 French Open approaching, Stefanos Tsitsipas is still on the hunt for his first Grand Slam title. The world No. 5 has lost in two major finals but is hoping to take some of David Ferrer's qualities in a bid to lift his first Grand Slam. Tsitsipas says it is not "nerves" that have cost him in big occasions before and that he is "ready for these matches".
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Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed why he might be taking inspiration from David Ferrer in his bid to win a first Grand Slam title.
World No. 5 Tsitsipas has made two major finals, losing both times to Novak Djokovic, including at the Australian Open earlier this year.
He will have another shot at breaking his major duck at the upcoming French Open.
To do so he thinks improving his consistency to Ferrer-like levels might be key.
Ferrer never won a Grand Slam himself, losing in one final and five semi-finals, but was renowned for his consistency and ability to keep the ball in play.
Asked what he is working on to make the next step in his career, Tsitsipas told Tennis Channel at the Italian Open: “Just giving away less unforced errors. I feel like I had matches against top guys, especially finals, I’ve lost a few of them, I’ve lost finals in my opinion that I shouldn't have lost.
“I wouldn’t blame it on nerves because it is not nerves. I am ready for these matches.
“I feel like I'm giving away unforced errors, making them feel a little bit more comfortable of what they should feel like. I know I have big shots. It's just a matter of how I’m going to utilise them correctly and when I am going to use them in the proper way.
“Sometimes I am rushing because I feel like I can get the job done straightaway but it’s just deeper than that. It's not as easy as I make it look like in my head."
Tsitsipas was beaten in straight sets by Djokovic in the Australian Open final in January.
Two years ago in the French Open final he held a two-set lead before losing in five sets.
He says one of the important progressions for him is “building patience”.
“If I am able to rally like, I don’t know if you remember David Ferrer, such a good groundstroke player.
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“Just running around the court, super consistent, never over hitting or under hitting, very consistent.
“I respect him a lot because he makes tennis look so, of course, hard, but it’s also so simple in a way to look at. You don’t have to do something crazy to win the point.”
Tsitsipas will be among the leading contenders for the French Open, which starts on May 28.
Carlos Alcaraz, who will be the top seed for the Grand Slam, and Novak Djokovic will also have their sights on the title, but there are injury doubts over defending champion Rafael Nadal.
Nadal hasn’t played since the Australian Open in January and has opted against taking a wild card to join Andy Murray on the ATP Challenger Tour in Bordeaux this week.
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