ATP Masters Toronto: Stefanos Tsitsipas sees "space for new stars"
Stefanos Tsitsipas cracked the tough nut Ugo Humbert in his opening match at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Toronto. A tournament that is especially special because of the large absenteeism.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit:
Aug 12, 2021, 10:48 am

With Rafael Nadal's cancellation a few hours before his opening match at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Toronto, it was clear: No representative of the "Big Three" will serve in Canada, once again this season it is up to the younger guard to themselves identify the title of a Masters tournament among themselves.
Right in the middle of it all is Stefanos Tsitsipas, who, along with Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, is considered a top advocate for the title in Canada. However, the Greek first had to pass Frenchman Ugo Humbert on lap two. A task that demands a lot of nerve strength from the 22-year-old after the bitter loss of the tiebreak of the second movement.
Tsitsipas works with a mental trainer
A mental coach, whom the Greek has relied on for many years, is also responsible for this in the Tsitsipas team. "I've known him since I was 12 years old and we've been working together ever since; he helps me whenever I need it. Generally I try to find solutions and solve my problems myself. I don't like certain ones Opportunities to be too dependent on other people, " said Tsitsipas after his opening win.
After losing the second set, Tsitsipas had lost the tiebreak 13:15 and left some match points with some hair-raising mistakes, the 22-year-old took an important break. "I had to refresh myself, leave certain thoughts behind, I didn't want to think about that again. Whatever happens in the third game, I just wanted it not to affect me in the game, I didn't want anything negative in me my head is coming, "recalled the world number three.
Absence of the big three
Due to the absence of the "Big Three" mentioned at the beginning, Tsitsipas moves into the limelight - but the Greek hardly wants to deal with Nadal, Federer and Djokovic in his mind. "I don't think about it much, it is the way it is period. If you are not physically ready, if you are not ready to play, it is in your power to make that decision. That is a fact and we are have to accept them. "
Apart from the increasing number of rejections from the older players, Tsitsipas sees a trend reversal in progress: "They are a part of tennis, but I think there is also room for new stars in the room. Little by little, things are changing, young people come up and show what they are capable of. So it will be interesting to see how this change of throne goes, it will be an interesting game. We also feel that a lot of fans follow us and give us their love every game, so we have to respond and do our best. "