When Swiss qualifier Dominic Stricker upset Stefanos Tsitsipas in the US Open second round in a five-set thriller, the Greek acknowledged his current form was simply “not good enough” as his bad streak continued with yet another early departure from the tournament.
Tsitsipas was devastated by his early departure from Flushing Meadows, but he continued to sign autographs for the spectators.
After losing to Stricker at the US Open, Stefanos Tsitsipas explains why he stood by to sign autographs for the fans. He said in the press conference: “It’s not an easy thing to stay there. I saw the little kids’ faces. It touched my heart bc I was in their position once upon a time. I really looked up to players like me on this occasion.”
He added: “I consider myself someone players look up to. Probably not as much as Federer, Rafa, or Djokovic, but I’m somewhere there in the substitutes. It felt good. Although inside of me, the 1st thing I wanted was to leave the court & clear my thoughts. I had to do it. I hope I made people happy.”
Stefanos Tsitsipas on why he stayed to sign autographs after losing to Stricker at US Open:
“It’s not an easy thing to stay there. I saw the little kids faces. It touched my heart bc I was in their position once upon a time. I really looked up to players like me in this… pic.twitter.com/63tJiU3C3d
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 30, 2023
Tsitsipas "Saw the little kids' faces that touched my heart. I was at their position, looked up to players like me now. Consider myself someone that kids look up to. Probably not as much as Big 3😅, but I'm somewhere there in the substitutes, so I had to sign autograph for them" pic.twitter.com/gPn7vBgyvJ
— 井蛙堂 (@seiadoumogera) August 31, 2023
Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2023
Now ranked no.7, Stefanos played his last match on the 30th of August when he surrendered to world no.128 Dominic Stricker 7-5 6-7(2) 6-7(5) 7-6(6) 6-3 in the 2nd round of the U.S. Open (draw).
This season Stefanos owns a 41-16 match record. Tsitsipas has won 1 title in Los Cabos. Tsitsipas got to the final at the Australian Open and Barcelona.
