Stefanos Tsitsipas identifies reason for failing to defend Monte Carlo title

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Stefanos Tsitsipas said a shoulder injury cost him a chance to build up momentum and ultimately defend his Monte Carlo title..

Tsitsipas, who won back-to-back Monte Carlo titles in 2021 and 2022, exited the tournament in the quarterfinal following a 6-2 6-4 defeat to Taylor Fritz. 

After arriving in Monte Carlo, Tsitsipas said his shoulder injury was healed.

But between the Australian Open and Monte Carlo, Tsitsipas was limited to just eight matches due to a shoulder injury. 

“Since the Australian Open my results haven’t been very good. I haven’t played a lot of matches. I think I can count them on my fingers the (number) of matches that I have played, and I’m pretty sure they are six or seven since Australian Open. This injury on my shoulder didn’t really give me opportunity to build up a momentum and rhythm," Tsitsipas said, via Tennis Majors.

Tsitsipas on what went wrong against Fritz

Clay is Tsitsipas' favorite surface, while it is not a secret that Fritz prefers faster surfaces.

But on Friday, it was Fritz who pretty routinely got the job done.

Fritz started the match with back-to-back breaks and a 4-0 lead before serving out for the first set in the eighth game.

In the second set, Fritz blew his first break but broke Tsitsipas again in the ninth game and served out for the match in the following game.

“I just seemed off. My serve was not working very well today, and against opponents like Taylor, you have to serve well. I was aware of that during the match. I just couldn’t find the rhythm. I am much better than this, and I’m disappointed I was not able to show my game today. I tried to fight on the second set. It’s a good lesson. It’s not a happy day for me, but it’s a good lesson," Tsitsipas said.

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