Tsitsipas: “I felt out of rhythm the entire match”

A disconsolate Stefanos Tsitsipas headed straight into the press room after his 6-4, 6-4 defeat to Thiago Monteiro – a loss that came as a surprise to many after the Greek’s fine form at the start of the clay season, during which he won the Monte-Carlo title and finished as runner-up to Casper Ruud in Barcelona.

Tsitsipas saved three match points in a fighting display in the closing stages, but was evidently puzzled and troubled by his overall performance.

“I just wish I was able to return the way I did in the last game,” he told reporters. “I felt out of rhythm the entire match on my returns. I felt very [unbalanced] and like my body was going all over the place.”

When asked if he had felt any fatigue after two good runs in the previous tournaments, he paused before replying: “I would like to congratulate [Monteiro]. I have nothing to say on behalf of me. Great match from his side. This is tennis.”

Tsitsipas: I was not 100 per cent ready

Later on, he was pressed a little more on how he would deal with the defeat, and he responded: “I was not perhaps 100% ready for this match, and my opponent was 100% ready for this match. Therefore, he walked away with the victory. He was just much more there. His senses were more present and he prevailed.

“What I’m taking away from this is I saw a few improvements that I managed to make throughout the match. They were quite late. They came quite late during the match. But I think I try and understand from these improvements that I made and reinforce them next time I step out on the court and I’m faced with the same situation again, playing a player who is hungry to beat me, playing a player who is literally grinding, has played a few challengers in the last few months, and these are the type of opponents that for sure you should be more alert being faced against.

“I really have to continue with humility that I have been showing the last few months and focus on the process that comes with our sport.”

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