Stefanos Tsitsipas is back in business.
Tsitsipas eased past Casper Ruud in the championship match of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters to seal his third crown at the ATP Masters 1000 event. The Greek had arrived in Monaco with a modest 11-6 record for the season and having not won a tour-level title since last August, factors that made Sunday’s triumph a particularly welcome return to the winners’ circle.
“It has been very difficult, so to be back on the podiums, winning tournaments just feels amazing,” said Tsitsipas after his 6-1, 6-4 victory against Ruud. “I can’t thank my family enough, and friends, for making this moment possible. I am extremely grateful for every person behind this journey.”
Tsitsipas joined four former World No. 1s — Rafael Nadal, Bjorn Borg, Thomas Muster and Ilie Nastase — on an exclusive list of players who have won three or more Monte-Carlo crowns. With his win, Tsitsipas jumped five spots to return to the Top 10 in the PIF ATP Rankings at No. 7.
“The third time is even more special than the first or second time,” said Tsitsipas, who beat the in-form Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals en route to adding the 2024 title to his 2021 and 2022 victories in the Principality. “This is an unbelievable win for me. Capturing that win today was nerve-wracking. I really wanted this trinity. I am extremely happy today.”
Photo/RolexMonteCarloMasters/X
ATP Tour contributed to this column
