Stefanos Tsitsipas has been named Monte-Carlo Masters champion for the 3rd time in his career after defeating Norwegian Casper Ruud in the tournament’s final match on Sunday.
The Greek athlete dispatched his opponent 6-1, 6-4 in a one-hour, 36-minute game.
After clinching the title, Tsitsipas collapsed to the court before he rose to his feet to embrace Ruud. Visibly emotional, the Greek then embraced his team.
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS IS A 3-TIME ROLEX MONTE CARLO MASTERS CHAMPION!!!
@steftsitsipas pic.twitter.com/QcqmB3qrtx
— Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters (@ROLEXMCMASTERS) April 14, 2024
In the lead-up to the final, Tsitsipas had defeated Top 10 stars Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner. By also beating World No. 10 Ruud, it is the first time since Toronto in 2018 that the Greek has earned three Top 10 wins at an event.
The win also makes Tsitsipas the fifth player to obtain three or more Monte-Carlo titles in the Open Era, alongside Borg, Muster, and Nastase, who have each won the title three times, and Nadal, who won the tournament a staggering 11 times.
Tsitsipas had previously won the Monte-Carlo Masters consecutively in 2021 and 2022, but “the third time is even more special than the first or second time,” he said, and called his achievement “an unbelievable win.”
“Capturing that win today was nerve-wracking. I really wanted this trinity. I am extremely happy today,” the Greek champion added.
Tsitsipas displays “ruthless tennis” at Monte-Carlo final
Tsitsipas played freely, taking large cuts on his heavy forehand to force Ruud deep, while he moved forward efficiently to expose the Norwegian’s deep-court position.
“I am glad I presented on court and showed some ruthless tennis. From the beginning to the end my play was cohesive and I was able to blend in a lot of different shots,” he said.
The Greek came out firing in his 28th tour-level final, regularly drawing roars from the crowd. After sealing the first set on his second set point, Tsitsipas saved one break point in his opening service game of the second set with a thunderous forehand to maintain control.
Ruud struggled to find the court with consistency on his forehand in the first set, frequently overhitting, and, while he improved in the second set, he was unable to find the required level to hurt the Greek.
In a tense 13-minute seventh game, Tsitsipas fended off three break points before holding. He then gained a decisive break himself to seal the victory, having struck 30 winners in the match and saved all eight break points he faced, according to Infosys ATP Stats.
Tsitsipas is now level at 2-2 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series, with his title triumph in Monte-Carlo his first since Los Cabos last year. The Greek, who has won 11 tour-level trophies, including three Masters 1000 titles, will return to the Top 10 for the first time since February on Monday when he climbs to No. 7.
