Unexpected Exit for Tsitsipas at the French Open
In a surprising turn of events at the French Open, Stefanos Tsitsipas, a two-time finalist at this Grand Slam event, faced a disappointing exit in the second round. The Greek player, who was seeded 20th, succumbed to the unranked Matteo Gigante, with scores reading 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, 6-4. This defeat marks Tsitsipas’s earliest departure from Roland-Garros since 2018, when he was also eliminated in the second round.
Tsitsipas’s Performance and Reflection
Tsitsipas, who advanced to the finals in 2021 before falling to Novak Djokovic after leading by two sets, has had a strong track record at this tournament in recent years, including semifinals appearances in 2020 and quarterfinal runs in 2021 and 2022. Reflecting on his performance, he acknowledged his high expectations leading into the two-week tournament.
“I expected bigger things from myself these two weeks,”
Tsitsipas shared after the match, mentioning that he had moments of immaturity on the court.
Match Struggles
Throughout the match on Court Simonne-Mathieu, Tsitsipas struggled to maintain focus, racking up a staggering 49 unforced errors. He expressed frustration with his inability to capitalize on key points, attributing his lapse in concentration to a lack of presence during the high-pressure moments.
“I wasn’t fully present in the moment,”
he admitted.
Credit to the Opponent
As the 23-year-old Gigante, currently ranked 167th, showcased impressive athleticism and crafty drop shots, Tsitsipas ultimately fell short, with Gigante clinching the match with a powerful ace. Despite the loss, Tsitsipas showed respect for his opponent, stating,
“I have to give credit to my opponent; he played incredible tennis and handled the pressure moments very well.”
Looking Ahead
This defeat adds to Tsitsipas’s recent struggles at major tournaments, following an earlier exit at the Australian Open, where he lost in the first round to Alex Michelsen after finishing as tournament runner-up earlier this year. Looking ahead, Tsitsipas noted the importance of using his experience more effectively as he continues to navigate the challenges of high-stakes tennis.
Next up for Gigante is a match against 13th-seeded American Ben Shelton in the third round as he continues his unexpected run at this prestigious event.
