Stefanos Tsitsipas faced a tough challenge in his opening match at the 2024 Paris Masters. The 10th seed had to overcome not just his opponent, Roberto Carballes Baena, but also an unexpected personal hurdle.
In a match that tested him from the start, Tsitsipas dropped the first set 4-6 but managed to bounce back and claim victory by winning the next two sets 6-3, 6-3. It wasn’t until after the match that he revealed he was battling more than just tennis balls on court.
A stomach issue had been troubling him , making it hard for him to focus and find motivation. “I didn’t start so well,” he admitted. “I had an upset stomach and wasn’t feeling so great on the court.” Fans might wonder if this will affect his future matches.
| Name | Age | Points | Stats 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| gr Stefanos Tsitsipas | 26 | 3,740 | 28 - 10 |
Challenges Beyond Tennis:
Despite these struggles, winning was crucial for Tsitsipas as it kept alive his slim hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals in Turin. He trails Andrey Rublev by a significant margin of 705 points, meaning only a tournament win could secure his spot.
Tsitsipas remains determined to give everything he’s got even though he knows it’s a long shot. “It’s going to take a lot for me to qualify,” he said optimistically. “But if I manage to up my tennis during this entire week… let’s see.”
Reflecting on his performance, Tsitsipas acknowledged how long it took him to feel better physically during the match. “It took a long time for me to feel better,” he shared candidly. Yet eventually, he found his rhythm and used strategic shots against Carballes Baena’s resistance.
Looking ahead, Tsitsipas is set to face Alejandro Tabilo next with hopes of advancing further in the tournament—and possibly facing Rublev soon after. Do you think he’ll make it through?
