Stefanos Tsitsipas had to endure a tough loss at the hands of Rafael Nadal in the final in Barcelona. As per Stefanos’ words, the Greek sensation was 20cm from winning his maiden ATP 500 title. Stefanos had a championship point against Nadal in the 3rd set when the King of Clay won that rally after hitting the net. From that moment, things went South for Stefanos that lost three consecutive games before facing defeat.
During the ceremony, Stefanos Tsitsipas tried to find the funny side of this tennis drama pretending to steal Rafael Nadal’s winner’s trophy. Here the video.
Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2021
Ranked world no.5 (career-high), the Greek played his last match on the 25th of April when he lost to world no.3 Rafael Nadal 6-4 6-7(6) 7-5 in the final in Barcelona (draw).
At present, during this year Stefanos has a 26-6 win-loss record. This year, Tsitsipas won 1 tournament in Monte-Carlo. The Greek was the runner-up in Acapulco and in Barcelona.
Rafael Nadal in 2021
Ranked world no.3, the Spaniard played his last match on the 25th of April when he overcame world no.5 Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4 6-7(6) 7-5 in the final in Barcelona to win his 87th career title.
Until now, during this year the Spaniard has a compiled 11-2 match record. This year, Nadal won 1 tournament in Barcelona.
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Rafael Nadal squared off 9 times. Their head to head is 7-2 for Nadal. Previously, the last time when they fought against each other, Rafael Nadal won 6-4 6-7(6) 7-5 in the final in Barcelona (Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell) on the 25th of April 2021.
In the video below you can watch the highlights.