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'I didn’t have the mental capacity to even fight,' Stefanos Tsitsipas breaks down his loss against Casper Ruud in Barcelona over not his best tennis

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Gouri Das | Last updated 4/22/24

World No. 7 Stefanos Tsitsipas was aiming for a back-to-back title on clay but lost the Barcelona Open final to World No. 6 Casper Ruud . On the Pista Rafa Nadal court on Sunday (April 21), Ruud secured an easy win with a scoreline of 7-5, 6-3.

This win was the Norwegian’s first ATP 500 title, for which Tsistipas praised him after the match. The Greek also admitted that, though he made it to the final, he wasn’t playing his best tennis in the tournament, expressing his wish to lift the Barcelona title one day.

I wasn't playing my best tennis this week in Barcelona. I was still able to get to the finals. Today, I just didn't have the mental capacity to even fight. Casper was just so good today. He deserved to win. Stefanos Tsitsipas said at the post-match press conference

Before Barcelona, Tsitsipas met Ruud at the Monte-Carlo Masters final, easily beating the Norwegian 6-1, 6-4 to win his third title in the Principality. It was his first title of the season. The 25-year-old Greek will next play at the Madrid Open on April 26.

Brett Connors thinks Stefanos Tsitsipas’ performance was affected by his relationship with Paula Badosa

Jimmy Connors‘ son Brett Connors thinks the reason why Stefanos Tsitsipas failed to give his best later in 2023 was because of the criticism directed at the Greek’s relationship with Spanish star and former World No. 2 Paula Badosa.

Connors asserted that the fans’ criticism affected the 25-year-old and, as a consequence, he lost his spot in the top 10 of the ATP Rankings.

He’s gotten into a, you know, highly publicized relationship with Paula Badosa. You know, and she’s been hurt. And he’s had his, you know, stuff. So some of the criticism might have been directed to him as he, distracted maybe, or whatever. Brett Connors said on his podcast Advantage Connors

Tsitsipas started dating Badosa last year in May, and they never shy away from displaying their affection for each other, which is evident from their social media pictures. They first teased the fans by changing their respective Spotify pictures to selfies before announcing that they were dating. Many fans have embraced their relationship, calling the couple ‘Tsitsidosa.’

Badosa has been dealing with injury issues. The 26-year-old suffered a back stress fracture last year and has been missing tournaments. She last played at the Stuttgart Open, losing to Aryna Sabalenka in the round of 16.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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