"I want to play Roland-Garros like I'm not a favourite" - says Tsitsipas

Stefanos Tsitsipas has been the standout performer on clay this season winning two titles along with one final.

That stellar play has earned him the respect of his peers (Nadal and Djokovic) as well as tennis analysts. Both Becker and Wilander believe he can win the Roland-Garros even this year if he plays the way he can. He certainly proved his affinity for clay this year and reached the French Open semifinal last year.

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In that semifinal, he forced a 5th set against Djokovic only to collapse in it. However, Tsitsipas does not want the pressure of being called the favourite. He said:

“I want to play Roland-Garros like I'm not the favourite. First of all, whenever I play, I want to be the surprise of the tournament. That's what I like most about it.

This time around Tstisipas has caught a lucky break in the draw as both Nadal, Federer and Djokovic are all in the top half of the draw while he is on the side of Medvedev who will hardly reach the final. That is something that gave Stefanos confidence even before stepping onto the court and he joked about it saying:

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"Finally, for once."

Tsitsipas then gave a serious response saying:

“I'm ready to face any of them, and I'm pumped to face any of them. I see no reason to fear them, they might be playing great and I might be playing great. Every single match against them gives me the opportunity to put myself at my top level and I'll be prepared for the best of the game."