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IMAGE: Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in motion throughout his fourth spherical match towards Denmark’s Holger Rune on the French Open earlier this 12 months . {Photograph}: Yves Herman/Reuters
Stefanos Tsitsipas believes he has proved a degree to his critics forward of Wimbledon by profitable his maiden grasscourt title on the Mallorca Championships.
The Greek world quantity six beat Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4 3-6 7-6(2) within the closing of the ATP 250 occasion on Saturday forward of the 12 months’s third Grand Slam, the place he has by no means gone previous the fourth spherical.
“Folks doubted that I can play on grass… it is truthful to say. I by no means doubted myself. I insisted that I can play on this floor and it stays considered one of my favorite surfaces tennis has to supply. I used to be assured about it,” Tsitsipas informed reporters on Sunday.
“I proved myself final week that it isn’t a floor I do not like. I like enjoying on grass, in all probability greater than on clay.
“Final 12 months was troublesome for me. I did not play a single match earlier than Wimbledon on grass. I used to be making an attempt to play on grass like I did on clay, which was an enormous mistake. Approach-wise, tactics-wise, all of it fell aside.”
Tsitsipas, who misplaced to American Frances Tiafoe within the Wimbledon first spherical final 12 months, mentioned he watched movies to analyse his weak factors.
“None of it made sense. I may additionally inform that from the follow periods I had, the pleasant matches that I did earlier than, every little thing appeared to be a bit off,” the 23-year-old added.
“With minor changes, you’ll be able to at all times get again to the place you need it to be. For me, it is a new begin right here at Wimbledon. I see myself a little bit bit completely different when it comes to how I understand this floor particularly.
“The factor that I hope for this 12 months is simply to get previous the primary spherical and see the place that leads after.”
Tsitsipas mentioned he didn’t think about himself a title contender but, with final 12 months’s runner-up Matteo Berrettini the in-form participant amongst those that haven’t received the title.
“I am going to in all probability must get near what he did final 12 months, then see if I will be a possible future champion. However I’ve obtained to start out small first,” Tsitsipas mentioned.
“The final two appearances I had at Wimbledon weren’t nice. I wish to see one thing completely different.”
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