Stefanos Tsitsipas Greek national brings a lot of momentum when competing at the Barcelona Open for the third time in his career in the 2021 season.
Last week, the world number 5 bagged the first Masters 1000 tournament title of her career at the Monte Carlo Open and now she has more titles on her mind.
“This feels like a really big moment and it’s on my mind that I really enjoy the feeling this title gives me and I have wanted this for a long time,” Stefanos Tsitsipas exclaimed.
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With the Monte Carlo Open and 6-2 wins at the Barcelona Open, the second seed will feel right at home this week. In the 2018 season, he was one win away from the Barcelona Open title in the final of the first ATP tournament in his career.
“My first final here was the start of my journey in the ATP tournament and I’m having an incredible journey,” added Tsitsipas.
“At that time I was 18 or 19 years old. I was just introduced to the ATP tournament and going through such a journey was really above my expectations.”
The Greek national received a valuable lesson from Rafael Nadal that week after winning only three games in his first meeting against the Spanish tennis star (Nadal has so far excelled in their head to head with 6-2).
“The final didn’t go my way, but I think I learned a lot from that game, and he seems to like the conditions here at Barcelona, so, it’s pretty awesome. The 11 titles he won at Barcelona are inspiring. I really hope to get half of the title one day,” said Tsitsipas.
Last week at the Monte Carlo Open, the 22-year-old recorded 9-0 in sets and beat Andrey Rublev in the final after the Russian beat Nadal in the quarter-finals.
“That’s the reason I chose this sport. I always want to get closer to winning titles, ”continued the world number 5.
“It’s also the reason why I love tennis since I was very young. I watched amazing players like Nadal, Federer and Djokovic play in Masters 1000 and Grand Slam tournaments, I want to be like them.”
After the Barcelona Open, Tsitsipas will participate in Madrid and Rome before heading to Roland Garros. At the Barcelona Open, he will start by facing the host’s player, Jaume Munar.
