“Without them, the show is not same,” Stefanos Tsitsipas comments on his chance of winning the Roland Garros as Sinner, Alcaraz, Djokovic and Nadal either out or not playing well

Tsitsipas also adds his voice to the complaints by several players against the extension of the Masters event.

“Without them, the show is not same,” Stefanos Tsitsipas comments on his chance of winning the Roland Garros as Sinner, Alcaraz, Djokovic and Nadal either out or not playing well

L: Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, R: Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, In circle: Stefanos Tsitsipas (Via Imago/X)

The second Grand Slam event of the year is shaping up to be one of the biggest. With several players aiming for the title, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are still struggling with injuries, while Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are struggling to perform well. Amidst this, Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas fancies his chances of winning Roland Garros.

Tsitsipas has been having a great clay season since April. The 25-year-old has won 12 matches and lost two since the clay season began. He won the Monte Carlo Masters beating Jannik Sinner in the semifinals. He went on to reach the Barcelona final but lost to Norwegian Casper Ruud.

However, for Sinner and Alcaraz, the story seems different. Sinner is yet to win any clay title, winning three hard-court surface titles this season. At the Madrid Open, he complained of a hip problem and was forced to withdraw despite reaching the quarterfinals. He has already revealed he may likely not play at the Roland Garros. Alcaraz played in the Madrid Open, skipping the Monte Carlo and Rome Masters due to a right arm injury.

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Besides that, Djokovic and Nadal haven’t played up to their professional standard this clay season either. Nadal has been struggling with his body while Djokovic succumbed to a shocking loss against Chilean Alejandro Tabilo in the third round in Rome. Both legends seem to be out of form presently.

This situation has brought belief to Tsitsipas, who thinks these usual favorites not playing gives other players a chance to win the French Open. However, he did admit the importance of having these ‘stars’ on the tour.

Well, it is the way it is now. It's a type of thing that hurt the sport a little bit, to have these type of things happen to the highest of the players. Without them, the show is not kind of the same. You have obviously the guys behind them.
Stefanos Tsitsipas said via Rome media

Tsitsipas has reached the round of 16 of the Italian Open after beating British Cameron Norrie yesterdy. He will play Alex de Minaur in the next round.

Stefanos Tsitsipas adds voice to the complaints about the extension of the days of the Masters event

Stefanos Tsitsipas has furthermore added his voice to the recent complaints by several players concerning the extension of the days in the Masters 1000s event. The Masters event which ran a 10-day schedule previously has now been modified to a 12-day schedule.

Stefanos Tsitsipas
Stefanos Tsitsipas (Via Imago)

This has caused several players to get injured while some withdraw due to playing in consecutive tournaments where there’s no rest.

It starts from the mental side, and it follows to the physical side. The extension of the days in the Masters 1000s I think plays a massive role and contributes a lot to the fact that these players are getting injured.
Stefanos Tsitsipas said

The likes of Elena Rybakina, Jannik Sinner, and Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the Rome Masters after playing in the Madrid Open a few days ago. Adding more to Tsitsipas’ point of over-extension of tournament schedules.

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