Stefanos Tsitsipas expressed his admiration for world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz once again at the French Open on Sunday. The Greek fifth seed praised the Spanish player as a formidable opponent and described him as one of the toughest obstacles in tennis, ahead of their upcoming quarterfinal clash. Tsitsipas defeated Austrian qualifier Sebastian Ofner 7-5, 6-3, 6-0 in a dominant performance to set up the highly anticipated match with Alcaraz.
“The long-awaited showdown is finally here. I believe everyone was anticipating it, weren’t they? Well, now it’s happening. Game on,” Tsitsipas told reporters. He had previously commended Alcaraz for his refreshing presence in tennis, with his charisma and constant smiles.
Tsitsipas and the 20-year-old Alcaraz last faced each other on the clay courts of Barcelona, where the Greek player suffered a comprehensive defeat with a score of 6-3, 6-4. This followed a previous three-set loss to Alcaraz at the same venue a year earlier.
According to Tsitsipas, Alcaraz consistently maintains a high level of intensity and focus throughout matches. His energetic and hyperactive style of play, as well as his rituals on the court, contribute significantly to the rallies. Tsitsipas acknowledged that these attributes have played a crucial role in Alcaraz’s success.
Moreover, Tsitsipas emphasized the impact of Alcaraz’s infectious smile, which evidently serves him well. Currently, Alcaraz is regarded as one of the most challenging opponents for any player, motivating them to elevate their game and improve their skills.