“My goal is to be more consistent on returns” Tsitsipas came a long way in 2022, but wants more next season

Stefanos Tsitsipas was up a set and level at three-all in the second set against Andrey Rublev on Friday evening in Turin, just three games from an important win that would have enabled him to finish the season as the ATP’s No 2 player for the first time.

Then Rublev stormed back, won nine of the final 11 games, and the Greek’s season had come to an abrupt halt.

Though it was a difficult defeat, it does not dampen Tsitsipas’ enthusiasm for 2023 – he is looking forward to starting a season with a clean bill of health, which is something that he did not do this year.

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Tsitsipas – “I’ve come a long way”

When one considers the fact that Tsitsipas underwent elbow surgery at the end of 2022, and was not confident in his form – or his health – early in the season, it is a remarkable achievement for the Greek to be knocking on the door of the top-2. He even entered this week with a chance to finish the season at No 1.

He will either finish at No 3 or No 4 in the rankings, depending on Casper Ruud’s semi-final result on Saturday.

“It’s a good reaction,” Tsitsipas said. “I’ve come a long way to get to No. 4.”

Tsitsipas says his goal for the off-season is to work on consistency in his returns.

“My goal for the pre-season is going to be perhaps a bit more consistent with my returns because I think if I’m able to improve on that aspect of my game, I can do more damage,” he said.

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