Stefanos Tsitsipas plays Alcaraz in Roland Garros Grudge Match
Roland Garros
June 3, 2024
Stefanos Tsitsipas is fed up with losing to Carlos Alcaraz. You can see the hurt in his eyes.
More than that, he is slightly irritated by the honesty the young Spaniard displays when he talks about the Greek.
After all, you are not supposed to find it easy against a colossus like Tsitsipas. You are not supposed to enjoy the challenge quite so much.
Stefanos Tsitsipas versus Carlos Alcaraz would make for a fascinating encounter on Centre Court at Wimbledon 2024 as well.
But so far their five matches have all gone the way of Carlitos – including at the French Open last year. Now they face a sixth showdown in a much-anticipated Roland Garros quarter-final.
And Stef is out to wipe the smile off that confident and cheerful young Alcaraz face. After the older man defeated Matteo Arnaldi 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2, 6-2 there was time for some reflection.
Tsitsipas wore a smile of his own that bordered on a wince as he admitted he has been listening to Alcaraz. And he hasn’t liked what he has heard.
Stef explained: ‘He has said in the past he likes playing against me. I hope he likes it a little bit less this time.
‘I hope I can get it to that stage of him feeling that it’s not so comfortable playing against me.’
To achieve that, Stef will need to come out with all guns blazing. And he didn’t manage to do it in the last round. He will also have to be super-alert to the Alcaraz drop-shot. Is he now fast enough moving forward?
If Tsitsipas is seeking an extra source of aggression, he need only listen to the near-nonchalance with with Alcaraz has just dismissed him afresh.
After beating an in-form Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-3, 6-1, Carlitos was in no mood to show additional respect to his next opponent.
Alcaraz said with a smirk: ‘I have seen a lot of matches lately from Stefanos and I know he is playing great and has a lot of confidence right now.
‘But I think I have the key against him. I will try to play the shots that put him in trouble. I will try to show my best.’
Those latest remarks will aggravate Tsitsipas even more. But this is the kind of pre-match tension we love at a big occasion. They’re both great guys deep down.
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Carlos Alcaraz are such huge stars that they will surely command our attention at Wimbledon 2024 too.
Let’s not forget the Spaniard is reigning champion at the All England Club. And Stef is desperate to start making his mark at the spiritual home of tennis.