Stefanos Tsitsipas showed his class as he refused to make excuses for his defeat to Thiago Monteiro just moments after coming off the court. The world No. 7 enjoyed a strong start to the clay season, winning the Monte-Carlo Masters, but he fell at the first hurdle of the Madrid Open as the qualifier stunned him 6-4 6-4.
Tsitsipas went 10-1 in matches across his first two tournaments on the clay, winning his third Monte Carlo title and reaching the final of the Barcelona Open. Arguably the most in-form player on the surface right now, he came to Madrid as one of the favourites.
After receiving a bye into the second round, the 25-year-old lasted just 96 minutes on the court as he was upset by world No. 118 Monteiro. Speaking less than 20 minutes after his loss, Tsitsipas made sure to give all the credit to his opponent instead of defending himself.
“I would just like to congratulate my opponent. I have nothing to say on behalf of me. Great match from his side. This is tennis,” he said in the heat of defeat.
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