Carlos Alcaraz's voodoo spell keeps Stefanos Tsitsipas in check with honest admission from the Greek
ATP
Stefanos Tsitsipas was well beaten in the Quarter-Finals of the 2024 French Open with Carlos Alcaraz accounting for him in a 6-3, 7-6, 6-4 win on Tuesday. But the Greek said that there was some 'voodoo stuff' going on in describing the mental barrier he faced.
Tsitsipas lamented this in his post match press conference with a general hoodoo that Alcaraz poses. He has won six times in a row against Tsitsipas on the ATP Tour. He started his French Open by defeating Marton Fucsovics 7-6, 6-4, 6-1. He then took down Daniel Altmaier 6-3, 6-2, 6-7, 6-4 and Zhizhen Zhang 6-3, 6-3, 6-1. Matteo Arnaldi was easily quelled in the end 3-6, 7-6, 6-2, 6-2. But Alcaraz proved a step too far. Something that Tsitsipas laments.
He acknowledged that he always struggles against the Spaniard and that Alcaraz has the best 'ball quality' on tour with the powerful shots he produces taking the racquet firmly out of his hand. He said that the challenge that Alcaraz poses is like no other.
"I tend to believe that my ball quality is one of the best on the tour, and every time I get to play Carlos [Alcaraz], I feel like he delivers a shot quality that I don't quite get against other opponents, and it just brings me trouble. I feel like his shot is deep and has a lot of topspin to it, and I just haven't been able to come up with something good," Tsitsipas said.
"He, in a way, overpowers me, but he is also patient enough to do it in a very constructive way. I haven't felt like this on the court, and I haven't felt against a lot of players like this on the court. I'm just maximizing my game as much as I can, and I'm trying to hang in there, and with him, it feels like regardless of what I do."
"Hitting harder is not necessarily the option I feel like. He's a fast guy. He tends to get a lot of balls back that other opponents wouldn't otherwise get. He's trouble when you're playing him. You're always going to get a ball extra back, and I've missed a few smashes today and shots that I don't necessarily miss and haven't missed during this tournament."
"I just need to get through that mental barrier. I feel like there was some voodoo stuff going on today on the court. I wasn't able to just get the ball where I wanted. It's really unbelievable."
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- Tennis "fans" have short memories. This is exactly who Saba always was... granted she found a 'new' persona when she began winning matches and tourneys. Off-court she's always been a racist potty-mouth. Her meanness also shines through when she thinks no one else is around. In short, the "person" you've witnessed in post-match on-court interviews is NOT who she is. As for her familiar "apologies, she can stick that routine in her racquet bags because I never believed her words nor phony "respect" for her opponents -- and I ain't buying that now.
mandoist15-11-2026 - Was Saba not paying attention to those who sought an inordinate amount of attention outside of their sport (occupation)... and to the point they lost their focus and eventually their place in tennis? For example: Giorgi, Bouchard, Raducanu, etc. They became infatuated with endless Selfies, videos, podcasts, TV commercials, magazine shoots, and so on. Thus their tennis suffered. Priorities are important.mandoist14-11-2026
- I, like writer of this wonderful article, also picked Noskova to win this entire thing. I would love it if she and Andreeva are in the final.Rapunzel12-11-2026
- "Priorities", Saba... spend less time in front of cameras, anti-Social Media, selfies and back to Tennis.mandoist12-11-2026
- Tell this to Andreeva!mandoist12-11-2026
- Andreeva with 11 games in a row to add to Saba's downward spiral issue !!! Personal feelings aside... Jess Pegula may want to reassess her evaluation of Mirra's abilities.mandoist12-11-2026
- I predicted whenthe list was finalised that Linda Noskova would win the WTA Finals and her matches against Gauff and Kostyuk prove that. She is the best (underrated) player in the world!Rapunzel11-11-2026
- Either Lena has a chronic internal ailment (i.e., colitis, enteritis, Crohn's, or some type of lower abdomen issue) -- or she is once again dealing with 'Vukovitis'. Mental stress can indeed cause lower body pains. No matter... whatever is truly going on sucks. "Virus" excuse is getting a bit old -- and often -- at this point.mandoist09-11-2026
- Ironically, Martina became a U.S. Citizen about the same time as the Orange Convicted Felon & Abuser was just beginning on his road to losing all Daddy's Millions!!mandoist09-11-2026
- "Another fresh start is in the cards." Thanks for the Humor!! I'm guessing this is the minimum one can do to keep all your sponsors hanging-on in perpetuity?mandoist09-11-2026
