The Fresh Prince of Monaco: Tsitsipas wins first Masters 1000 title in Monte Carlo

Tsitsipas dedicates his title win to his coach back in Greece and his mother “because she pushed me to aim for that”

Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece celebrates with the trophy after winning his final match against Andrey Rublev of Russia at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters tournament in Roquebrune Cap Martin Photo: AAP via EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER

19 April 2021 12:43pm

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Greek tennis superstar Stefanos Tsitsipas follows the reign of his mother 30 years on after winning the title at the Monte Carlo Masters.

In 1981 Julia Salnikova claimed a junior title at the Monte-Carlo Country Club and on Sunday Tsitsipas joined his mother Monte Carlo’s honour roll with a straight set victory over Andrey Rublev.

“[To share] this is incredible. [The] first time I walked in that club, the Monte-Carlo Country Cub, with my mum, I think that was when I was six years old. She showed me her name up there. I remember seeing it for the first time. I was stunned. I was like, ‘Wow. That is really cool.’ How cool is that?,” Tsitsipas said in a post match interview.

The win also marks the 22-year-old’s first ever Masters 1000 title win after knocking out his Russian opponent 6-3 6-3.

“I can’t describe my feelings right now. I am overwhelmed by so many different emotions and nostalgia. It is incredible that I am able to be in the position that I am,” Tsitsipas said.

It took the world no. 5 one hour and 11 minutes to beat eighth ranked Rublev for the biggest victory in his career, crediting part of the win on learning how to breathe.

“Breathing is something I’ve been working on the last couple of months with my psychologist,” said Tsitsipas.

“I find breathing very important especially when I’m performing or playing, breathing helps me control myself and have full control of what I’m doing out there.”

Tsitsipas’ head was well in the game, dominating on his serve and claiming 86 per cent of points behind his first serve and 68 per cent on his second.

The young Greek smoothly controlled his service games to snag the first set in 32 minutes, following similar suit in the second breaking serve in the third game.

Tsitsipas saw the opportunity to break his rival in the final game of the match after the Russian had sent a wide backhand .

Rublev who had gone on to beat tennis great Rafael Nadal earlier that week, praised his Greek opponent post match, despite dealing with his own upset.

“He was just better than me,” Rublev said.

“I feel super sad with the final, that I couldn’t show (my) game. I couldn’t show fight. But of course I’m happy with the week because I beat so many great players. I beat one of the best players in history. It’s a special week.”