Despite a notable comeback in form and a recent triumph at the Dubai Tennis Championships, Stefano Tsitsipas’ aspirations for a Grand Slam title have been severely critiqued. The Greek tennis star, a two-time major finalist, has found his Grand Slam dreams dashed, as per the harsh assessment from renowned analyst, Benoit Maylin.
Tsitsipas surged back into the top 10 of the ATP Rankings following his resounding victory against Felix Auger Aliassime, which saw him lift his first Dubai Tennis Championships title. This win marked a significant turnaround for the player who had previously stumbled at the tournament’s final hurdle in 2019 and 2020.
Despite being on the losing end in all 11 of his previous ATP 500 level finals, Tsitsipas’ win in Dubai signaled his first title since the Monte Carlo Masters in April 2024. With this victory, Tsitsipas now boasts 12 ATP Tour titles, affirming his return to the echelons of the world’s top 10 players.
The 26-year-old’s first ATP 500 title adds to his impressive trophy cabinet, which also includes titles at 250, 500, and 1000 levels, as well as a victory at the ATP Finals back in 2019. However, the elusive Grand Slam title still remains out of reach. Tsitsipas has fallen short both times he reached the finals at the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open, losing to Novak Djokovic on both occasions.
Despite managing to reach only two Grand Slam quarter-finals since his Melbourne run two years ago, Tsitsipas’ performance in Dubai sparked renewed hope. However, this optimism was swiftly quashed by Benoit Maylin. The esteemed pundit delivered a bleak assessment on Sans Filet, insisting that Tsitsipas’ one-handed backhand will continue to be a major roadblock in his career path.
Comparing Tsitsipas’ situation with the Federer-Nadal dynamic, Maylin suggested that despite consistent efforts to improve his game, Tsitsipas would continue to struggle with his backhand. He further underscored that the Greek player’s consistent performance is not surprising, but the real expectation is to see him clinch a Grand Slam title, something Maylin does not foresee happening.
Tsitsipas’ recent victory in Dubai saw him wield a blacked-out racket, a marked departure from the Wilson Blade he has used for a significant part of his career. While the new racket is still manufactured by Wilson, it remains to be seen if this change is permanent and if it will aid Tsitsipas in his return to form.
Tsitsipas is set to participate next in Indian Wells, the first Masters 1000 event of the year on the ATP Tour. However, despite being the eighth seed, Tsitsipas has historically struggled to perform at his best in this tournament. His past record at Indian Wells is less than stellar, with a single quarter-final run in 2021 being the highlight.
As Tsitsipas prepares for his next challenge, the world watches to see if he can defy the odds, overcome the criticisms, and finally secure his first Grand Slam title.
