Stefanos Tsitsipas, the Greek tennis maestro, made a remarkable comeback last year at his beloved ATP 500 event in Dubai. After a dry spell, he triumphed over five opponents, marking his 12th ATP title and his first on the ATP 500 level out of a dozen finals. The victory was even more notable given that Tsitsipas stepped onto the court, brandishing a blacked-out Babolat Pure Aero racquet, a stark departure from his usual Wilson!
This unexpected change in gear, typically associated with Carlos Alcaraz, triggered a flurry of speculation throughout the tennis community. Observers wondered if Tsitsipas was testing the waters with a competitor’s product, potentially hinting at a future shift in his sponsorship allegiance. The remarkable transformation in his performance seemed to validate the speculations, with many attributing his exceptional playing to this unprecedented switch.
The question of whether this surprising move breached Tsitsipas’ contract with Wilson added fuel to the debate. Some enthusiasts argued that the black paint job and visible Babolat features, like the bumper guards, suggested a covert trial run. Regardless, it was evident that Tsitsipas was in dire need of a radical shake-up!
Tsitsipas’ performance had been waning, with the former Major finalist losing his footing in the top-10 and his precision failing him against his top-tier rivals. The Greek tennis star failed to reach an ATP final between April 2024 and just last week, marking a series of harsh losses during this low period.
However, the tide seemed to turn at the Dubai event. Tsitsipas exhibited a more potent game, thanks to his new racquet. He seemed more confident in his shots and held his ground during the baseline exchanges. His victims included Lorenzo Sonego, Karen Khachanov, Matteo Berrettini, and Tallon Griekspoor, all vanquished on his journey to a much-needed final.
The road to victory was not without its bumps, but Tsitsipas persevered through the challenges and stayed on track for the title. His performances against Griekspoor and Felix Auger-Aliassime were particularly noteworthy. He vanquished the Canadian 6-3, 6-3 in a tense match that lasted an hour and 28 minutes.
This victory not only extended his winning streak against Felix but also allowed him to lift a long-overdue trophy from his third Dubai Open final. As Tsitsipas gears up for more triumphs in Indian Wells and Miami, he will also be eagerly anticipating his favored event in Monte Carlo, where he traditionally excels.
