Player | After 18 months, Tsitsipas secures his first win over a Top 10 player, aiming for a Grand Slam final in the new season

At the beginning of the 2026 season, Tsitsipas faced what could be called a genuine "restart battle." In the United Cup group stage in Perth, the Greek athlete overcame world No. 6 Fritz, winning 6-4, 7-5.

This victory was more than just a group stage success; it marked his first triumph over a top-ten opponent in a year and a half. After enduring injuries, slumps, and doubts, the message behind this win goes far beyond the scoreline.

Tsitsipas Image: Visual China

Since the beginning of the 2025 season, Tsitsipas’s name has gradually faded from discussions about top contenders. Fluctuating form and recurring injuries severely disrupted his training and competition rhythm. Since September last year, he has barely participated in any official matches, and this long absence has posed significant challenges both technically and mentally.

“Getting into match shape isn’t easy; I haven’t played competitive matches for a long time, and these matches test you in the toughest, most extreme ways,” Tsitsipas admitted. Injuries brought not only physical strain but also eroded his confidence. Once known for his aggressive style, he had to become more cautious on court, and such hesitation often becomes the deadliest flaw at the highest level. Simply stepping onto the Perth court with a healthy body and mind was already a victory in itself.

Facing Fritz, who had shown stable form in recent months, Tsitsipas was not favored by many. “I couldn’t allow myself any distractions at any moment, and I managed to keep my focus throughout,” he said. This focus was precisely what he had been missing over the past year. The win was no accident but built on clear pre-match preparation and mental conditioning. “I tried to read the game, anticipate his possible attacks, and avoid his comfort zones, playing my own style of tennis. Sometimes, I was completely dominant from the baseline.”

Tsitsipas Image: Visual China

Tsitsipas regained a long-lost confidence — the kind that only beating top players can bring. Moreover, the physical feedback was especially important for him. During the United Cup, Tsitsipas played three singles and two mixed doubles matches consecutively, confirming he felt no significant pain.

“This feedback is fantastic; I can finally enjoy playing tennis,” Tsitsipas said. For a professional athlete who has suffered from injuries, “playing pain-free” is a luxury. As he described, this condition has reignited his desire to train, compete, and reconnect with the purest aspects of tennis.

Tsitsipas has not set overly ambitious goals for 2026, but his aim is clear: to return to a Grand Slam final. This is both an ambitious and realistic target. Having been a finalist at the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open, he knows he has the ability to reach that stage again.

2021 French Open final: Tsitsipas vs. Djokovic Image: Visual China

This victory doesn’t mean Tsitsipas has returned to his peak, but for him, it marks an important turning point — shifting from simply “being able to compete healthily” to “being able to stand on the top stage once more.”

In today’s increasingly competitive men’s tennis landscape, Tsitsipas’s comeback may not happen overnight. But at least in Perth, he has shown everyone that the Greek player who once captivated the world is on his way back.

(Article and editing by: Coco)