Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Refreshed and raring to go, two-time champion Stefanos Tsitsipas is excited to chase a third consecutive Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters title this week in the Principality.
The Greek defeated Andrey Rublev in the 2021 final to win his maiden ATP Masters 1000 crown, before he overcame Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in last year’s championship match to reign at the clay-court event again.
“It is a pleasure to return to the clay-court swing,” Tsitsipas said in his pre-tournament press conference on Saturday. “It is one of the most fascinating parts of the year, starting the clay-court swing in Monte-Carlo, which is my favourite place in the world.
“I am looking to make it three [titles]. But I won’t take too much time thinking of it. I am feeling refreshed that we are able to start playing on clay again.”
The second seed suffered a disappointing fourth-round exit in Miami last month, but arrives in Monte-Carlo holding a 12-2 record at the event. The World No. 3, who resides in Monte-Carlo, is excited to be back on clay and hopes his fond memories at the event will help him quickly find his range.
“I am enjoying the fact that I have won this event twice. I feel good playing here, I feel good in front of my fans,” Tsitsipas said. “The Monegasque people have showed their love and support and the Italian and French fans. Also the Greek community. They are here and I know most of them.
“It is my home tournament and having won the event twice. It gives me so much happiness that I was able to live and experience those moments. I am hoping to make it more than twice this week.”
Tsitsipas has often produced his best level on clay. Four of his 10 tour-level titles have come on the surface and he reached the Roland Garros final in 2021.
“I really like the tactical analysis of clay-court tennis. I think it is deeper than people think. There is a lot of strategy involved,” Tsitsipas said. “You are not expecting to hit crazy winners on a surface like clay. You are dealing with much patience when you are playing. It involves more around unforced and forced errors. The way you can open the court. The main priority is not to hit a winner, but be precise and open the court.”
Chasing his first title of the season, Tsitsipas will begin his campaign against Benjamin Bonzi or Bernabe Zapata Miralles.
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