Stefanos Tsitsipas expressed frustration after losing in the first round of an Australian Open and being defeated by American Alex Michelsen, following disappointing performances at both ATP Rotterdam Open and Qatar Open tournaments, where his fortunes appeared dim; but that all changed during an impressive run at Dubai Championships, marking his first final appearance of 2018 and signalling significant career rejuvenation.
Tsitsipas had seen his season start off poorly with quick departures in Rotterdam and Qatar and an exciting but ultimately losing battle there, yet Dubai offered Tsitsipas an opportunity for redemption. She duly took full advantage of this momentous chance by defeating Lorenzo Sonego, Karen Khachanov and Matteo Berrettini on her path to defeating Tallon Griekspoor and then setting up a semifinal date against Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime as his opponent for finals day two!
In a post-match press conference, Tsitsipas hinted at crucial adjustments that had ignited his resurgence, notably mentioning a change in rackets ahead of the tournament. This move, aimed at breaking free from a cycle of inconsistency, appeared to pay dividends as Tsitsipas impressed onlookers with his play in Dubai.
Tsitsipas, known for his tendency to break rackets, has traditionally used the Wilson Blade, celebrated for its precision and versatility since 2008. However, during the Dubai Championships, eagle-eyed fans noticed Tsitsipas wielding a different racket, still adorned with the Wilson logo but distinct from his usual Blade 98. Speculation suggests it might be the Babolat Pure Aero 98, a choice indicating a strategic pivot towards seeking more spin and power in his game—a decision that has evidently bolstered his performance on the court.
As Tsitsipas was about to face Auger-Aliassime for what promised to be an electrifying encounter, he took time to reflect upon being back in an hard court final since 2023 – with hopes of breaking back into the top 10, strong history in Dubai, and multiple near misses against tennis greats Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, hoping this time around to claim that first ATP 500 title eluded him previously.
“I feel extremely fortunate to have avoided drama today and played good tennis,” Tsitsipas commented on reaching another final in Dubai and seeking an opportunity to turn around his season with a championship win.