Stefanos Tsitsipas won the Monte Carlo Masters for the third time in four years on Sunday, defeating Casper Ruud 6-1, 6-4, before weeping in his chair. Tsitsipas sat with his head in his hands, briefly crying, as he accepted his first trophy of the year and largest tournament triumph in two years.
“I’m quite pleased of myself today. I’d been waiting for this opportunity for a long time,” said the 12th-ranked Tsitsipas, who rose to a career-high No. 3 in 2021. “I did not know what was going to happen this week.”
The big-serving Greek also won the tournament in 2021 and 2022, and his most recent victory at the Monte Carlo Country Club brought his total to 11 career titles. He joins Rafael Nadal, Bjorn Borg, Thomas Muster, and Ilie Nastase as players who have won at least three Monte Carlo tournaments. Also read: Simona Halep Reveals The ‘Disastrous’ Outcome of Her Doping Ban Following Her Comeback in Miami
“It has been very difficult, so to be back on the podium, winning tournaments, just feels amazing,” he remarked. “The third time is even more memorable than the first or second time. This is a fantastic victory for me. Capturing that victory today was nerve-racking. I really wanted the trinity.”
It was his first trophy since August, when he won a tiny ATP 250-level tournament on outdoor hard courts in Los Cabos, Mexico.
This was far more significant, as he shared a heartfelt embrace at the net with Ruud, who is chasing his first title of the year and is still on 10 overall. The encounter featured former French Open runners-up and provided an early indicator of form for next month’s clay-court major at Roland Garros.
Tsitsipas entered the tournament as an outsider, seeded 12th. However, he defeated Australian Open winner Jannik Sinner in the semifinals, dealing him only his second defeat of the season and setting up a potentially surprise final versus Ruud, who defeated top-ranked Novak Djokovic in Saturday’s other semifinal. Also read: Naomi Osaka, Playing “More freely” Since Returning To Tour As She Charges into Miami Open second round Defeating Elisabetta Cocciaretto
Tsitsipas blasted an ace to win his next service game, forcing Ruud to hold serve to stay in the match. Ruud’s unforced blunder at 30-30 resulted in an easy backhand long, giving Tsitsipas his first match point.
Tsitsipas dominated a brief rally, won with a forehand winner, and then collapsed onto his back, arms spread, hands on his face. “I managed the point relatively well and finished it with the winner,” he remarked. “I demonstrated some ruthless tennis. “My play was cohesive from beginning to end.”