Stefanos Tsitsipas explains his secret behind recent success as he eyes French Open glory

Stefanos Tsitsipas has discovered the recipe for achievement in 2021 as he bids for a primary Grand Slam title on the French Open.

The 22-year-old Greek has received 33 matches already this yr to place him prime of the annual standings, amassing a primary Masters title in Monte Carlo and one other trophy in Lyon final week.

His report can be much more spectacular however for agonising losses to Rafael Nadal in Barcelona and Novak Djokovic in Rome, whereas he defeated the Spaniard from two units down to achieve a second successive grand slam semi-final on the Australian Open in February.

“Consistency has been all the time on the prime of my priorities as a participant, and it has been troublesome to search out that type of secret recipe the place you get all of the consistency and you’ll play constantly week by week,” mentioned Tsitsipas.

“However I believe it’s one thing you construct up with confidence, with expertise, and ultimately you simply discover the sample. You discover the best way it really works for you.

“I’m fairly proud of the best way I’m progressing, the best way I’m producing factors, the best way I’m in a position to face the fellows on the prime of the rankings. And up to now I’m on the prime of the race to Turin. It feels nice to be there and I want for many extra to come back.”

Tsitsipas mentioned his objective is to be the shock of the match however it will not be a shock in any respect if he reached a primary grand slam last, particularly given Nadal, Djokovic and Roger Federer are all within the reverse half of the draw.

The highest half of the @rolandgarros draw is STACKED 😲

✅ Djokovic & Nadal are in the identical half
✅ Djokovic & Federer are in the identical quarter pic.twitter.com/tcgwX0uVO5

— ATP Tour (@atptour) May 27, 2021

“Lastly, for as soon as,” mentioned the Greek with a smile.

The opposite main seeds within the backside half are US Open champion and two-time former French Open finalist Dominic Thiem, US Open finalist Alexander Zverev and world quantity two Daniil Medvedev.

Thiem is the person with the clay-court pedigree however the Austrian has been struggling for kind this season and took a six-week break in March and April to step away from the calls for of the tour and bubble life.

He was content material along with his performances in Madrid and Rome however suffered a dispiriting loss to Cameron Norrie in Lyon final week.

Any constructive ideas in regards to the draw have subsequently been severely tempered, with Thiem, who has a tough opener towards Spaniard Pablo Andujar, saying: “Possibly two, three years in the past I might have been completely happy however I believe the best way I’m coming into the match, the best way I additionally performed the final weeks, the one factor I can concentrate on is the primary rounds.

“I shouldn’t focus in any respect on who’s in my quarter and even who’s in my half. I undoubtedly have to play higher than I did final week in Lyon. I’m practising and dealing exhausting to offer myself an opportunity to play properly at the least. I hope I can try this within the match.

“It’s undoubtedly a bit of benefit for me, as I’m typically a bit of gradual starter, that I’ve at the least three units as a substitute of two.”

Medvedev’s elevation above Nadal to world No 2 means he’s seeded forward of the 13-time champion regardless of by no means having received a match at Roland Garros.

pic.twitter.com/fDBrx1ft8F

— Daniil Medvedev (@DaniilMedwed) May 28, 2021

The Russian, who reached his second slam last in Melbourne, has made no secret of his dislike of clay however up to now has discovered circumstances in Paris to his liking.

“If they might have some particular guidelines, for certain I might be seeded much less excessive, however, if we take the rankings, I’m quantity two so I’ve to be seeded quantity two,” mentioned Medvedev, who has a crowd-pleasing first-round draw towards the unpredictable Alexander Bublik.

“It helps me. Even when we don’t speak about me making it to the semis but, I really feel actually nice with the circumstances right here and I really feel like I can play (like I do) on exhausting courts, and that’s crucial factor.”

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