Stefanos Tsitsipas looking forward to clay court swing
- Doug Mattushek
- 9 April 2023
World number three Stefanos Tsitsipas is eager to get his favourite part of the season underway: the clay court swing.
Tsitsipas is preparing for the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, which takes place on the idyllic French Riviera coastline next week.
The Monégasque clay has proved a happy hunting ground for the Greek star. Just as Tsitsipas has taken up residence in Monaco, so has the Monte-Carlo Masters trophy taken residence in his home as he is looking to make it three titles in a row. King of Clay Rafael Nadal is the only other player to achieve that feat at this tournament in the open era.
As such, it should come as no surprise that Tsitsipas was positively beaming in front of the press ahead of the tournament.
"It is a pleasure to return to the clay-court swing," said the 24-year-old said in his pre-tournament press conference on Saturday.
"It is one of the most fascinating parts of the year, starting the clay-court swing in Monte-Carlo, which is my favourite place in the world.
"I am looking to make it three [titles]. But I won't take too much time thinking of it. I am feeling refreshed that we are able to start playing on clay again.
"It is my home tournament and having won the event twice. It gives me so much happiness that I was able to live and experience those moments. I am hoping to make it more than twice this week."
While Nadal and tearaway Carlos Alcaraz will miss the event due to injury, the field is still world class, with grand slam winners Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev in attendance among others.
Speaking of his love for clay, Tsitsipas revealed that he enjoys the strategy involved rather than just bludgeoning the ball off the court.
"I really like the tactical analysis of clay-court tennis," he continued.
"I think it is deeper than people think. There is a lot of strategy involved. You are not expecting to hit crazy winners on a surface like clay. You are dealing with much patience when you are playing. It involves more around unforced and forced errors. The way you can open the court. The main priority is not to hit a winner, but be precise and open the court."
