Key Takeaways
- Stefanos Tsitsipas advanced to the Round of 16 at the 2024 Madrid Open despite a recent slump in form, defeating Alexander Bublik and Daniel Merida in straight sets.
- Former world No. 1 Jim Courier criticised Tsitsipas’ play during the Bublik match, though the Greek survived to move forward.
- Tsitsipas identified the loss of his “serve + one” weapon—his ability to follow a strong serve with an aggressive, confident shot—as the main area he must repair to regain top‑10 status.
- The player once peaked at world No. 3 in 2021 and reached the Madrid semifinals that year; he now faces Casper Ruud, a tough clay‑court opponent.
- Head‑to‑head, Ruud leads Tsitsipas 3‑2 overall, with two of Ruud’s victories coming on clay, including a straight‑sets win at Madrid 2021. Tsitsipas, however, has beaten Ruud at the Monte‑Carlo Masters and the Canadian Open.
- Tsitsipas is working to rebuild the aggression and confidence that once made his serve + one game a decisive factor in big wins.
Stefanos Tsitsipas’ recent struggles have been evident on the ATP Tour, yet the Greek managed to navigate his way into the Round of 16 at the Madrid Open. After a disappointing start to the season, Tsitsipas secured a straight‑sets victory over Alexander Bublik, a match that drew sharp comments from former world No. 1 Jim Courier. Courier questioned the quality of Tsitsipas’ play, suggesting the star had lost some of the edge that once made him a elite competitor. Despite the criticism, Tsitsipas kept his composure, moved past Bublik, and followed up with another straight‑sets win over Daniel Merida to set up a highly anticipated fourth‑round clash with Casper Ruud.
In a post‑match interview with Ziggo Sport, Tsitsipas was candid about the aspects of his game he feels have deteriorated. He pointed to his once‑formidable “serve + one” approach—the ability to back a powerful serve with an aggressive, confident shot—as the cornerstone of his earlier success. “I used to be one of the best players in the world on serve plus one, despite not being world number one,” Tsitsipas recalled. He noted that this facet of his game generated numerous big wins against top opponents and allowed him to execute his game plan with conviction. Lately, however, he feels that the serve + one rhythm has faltered, prompting him to work on adjustments that will revive the aggression and confidence that once defined his play.
Tsitsipas’ career highlights lend context to his current quest for redemption. He reached a career‑high ranking of world No. 3 during the 2021 season and made a deep run at the Madrid Open that year, advancing to the semifinals. Those accomplishments underline his capability on clay, a surface where he has historically performed well. The upcoming match against Ruud therefore represents both a test of his resurgence and an opportunity to reclaim some of the form that brought him to the sport’s upper echelon.
The head‑to‑head record between Tsitsipas and Ruud adds intrigue to their impending meeting. The two have faced each other five times on the ATP Tour, with Ruud holding a narrow 3‑2 advantage. Notably, two of Ruud’s victories have come on clay, including a straight‑sets triumph at the 2021 Madrid Open—their first encounter. Tsitsipas, however, has not been without success against the Norwegian; he recorded Masters‑level wins over Ruud at the Monte‑Carlo Masters and the Canadian Open. This split history suggests that while Ruud may hold a slight edge on their preferred surface, Tsitsipas possesses the tools to turn the tide if he can rediscover his serve + one potency.
Looking ahead, Tsitsipas concedes that fixing the serve + one component is essential if he hopes to climb back into the upper ranks of the ATP Tour. He is actively tweaking his technique, focusing on generating more aggression and confidence behind each shot after the serve. The Italian clay courts of Madrid will provide an early proving ground for these adjustments. A victory over Ruud would not only avenge his 2021 loss but also signal that Tsitsipas is on the path to regaining the form that once made him a consistent threat at the sport’s biggest events.
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