Joyful, but a little bit empty – Tsitsipas explains dramatic win over Thiem and looks ahead to Murray clash

Joyful, but a little bit empty? It’s a strange way for a victorious player to describe what was for most fans the emotional high point of Wimbledon’s Day 3. In a match between two well-known, well-loved stars at very different stages of their individual career arcs, Tsitsipas outlasted former Grand Slam champion Thiem, converting his second match point with a beautiful forehand passing shot winner to end the contest.

Asked what went through his mind after the match, Tsitsipas, true to form, gave a unique interpretation of the moment.

“I didn’t know what to think,” he said. “I mean, it was a long match. I went through a lot of emotions. I was trying to figure out why that last winner of mine didn’t feel as I would have wished for it to feel. I really wanted it to happen, and it happened.

“I wouldn’t say I thought about a lot of things. It’s a joyful moment, but a little bit empty.”

Tsitsipas’ words would be easy to misinterpret as angst, or disinterest. But that would be wrong. When asked by a reporter, the Greek elaborated on his statement, clarifying that what he felt was disappointment that he wasn’t able to get the job done in a more efficient matter.

Tsitsipas stressed that he wasn’t having negative feelings: just a questioning mindset.

“I don’t know. I’m working on it,” he said. “We’ll find a way, I guess. Definitely not negative. I mean, I worked so hard on that court today. Sometimes I feel like I’m playing well, I’m returning well, and I’m still not able to convert break points and win return games of mine. It kind of feels like, What is going on? I feel great. My returns are deep. I’m able to play smartly, but still I end up being on a tiebreaker when, in fact, I should be winning the set at least with a break up. That sort of emptiness, I guess.”

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Next challenge – grass guru Andy Murray

After three hours and 56-minutes of hard-fought seesaw tennis, Tsitsipas will set his sights on a second-round clash with two-time champion Andy Murray. He’ll have to clear his head of those empty feelings and get inspired, because Murray is in fine fettle, and playing with confidence.

The pair have met twice, with Tsitsipas winning in a dramatic five-set battle at the 2021 US Open (2-6, 7-6(7), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4), and Murray defeating the Greek on the grass in Stuttgart in 2022, 7-6(4), 6-3.

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Does Tsitsipas think that Murray will be at an advantage, given that he finished an easy straight set victory on Tuesday while Tsitsipas will have only 24 hours to rest before they meet in the third match on Centre Court on Thursday?

“I won’t know till I have to face him,” the Greek said. “He is a strong opponent, he has played on this court so many times. Grass suits his game very good. He has shown it with titles, two titles here, at Wimbledon. He has won Queen’s in the past. He’s a strong opponent on grass.

“I played him once before on grass in Stuttgart. I need to up my game on this occasion. Looking forward on having to face his solid game, which will make it physical. That is something that I haven’t been exposed to a lot on grass, but I will have to put in the work and make it work this way.”

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