Tsitsipas vows to make amends: "I need to improve my physical condition a lot"

Stefanos Tsitsipas arrives at Roland Garros 2026 with the feeling that he is still far from his best version, although also convinced of having found positive signs in recent weeks on clay. The most interesting aspect of his press conference in Paris was realizing that he is clear on which areas he needs to work on more diligently.

In an interview with the Greek media sdna.gr before the start of Roland Garros 2026, Stefanos Tsitsipas talked about the importance of improving physically to regain consistency, explained how he is reorganizing his coaching team with his father, and also delved into the changes he made with his racket during this season. The Greek also reacted to the protests raised by several players regarding the economic distribution in Grand Slams.

This is what Tsitsipas said before competing in Roland Garros 2026

His analysis of the clay court season

"The clay season was not particularly good for me, and I feel that in many tournaments, I failed to show the level I expected. The only event where I truly felt back was in Madrid, where I played very solid matches and regained very positive feelings."

"The match against Casper Ruud left me with good conclusions because it was decided by very few points, and he ended up winning the tournament. That shows that I am much closer than some may think."

The importance of regaining his best physical condition

"Right now, the most important thing is to continue improving physically because there were matches where I clearly felt my intensity dropping too much."

"When the legs stop responding as they should, it's not so much a technical problem but rather a general quality issue in the game. Everything starts to decline a bit: the movements, the energy, and also the ability to maintain aggressiveness."

"I need to sustain that intensity for longer, and that can only be achieved by working hard on physical preparation and being willing to give everything on the court."

The reorganization of his coaching team

"Kerry continues to work with me constantly, and Dimitris is also part of the team. The idea is to find a more balanced structure for everyone."

"My father has been traveling non-stop for many years, and I think he also needs to take a break occasionally. It wouldn't be bad if Dimitris could replace him for a week or two at some points in the calendar."

"My father no longer has the same energy he had six or seven years ago when we started this journey together, and it's logical that he wants to adjust his pace of life a bit. Even so, I know perfectly how much he wants to help me and how much he still gets involved as a coach. If we can balance the work well between my father, Dimitris, and Kerry, I believe we can build a very solid team."

His final decision on the racket

"I have already made a final decision with the Wilson Blade V10, and honestly, I am tired of making more changes. Modern tennis is very different because the courts and balls are slower than a few years ago, so I needed a racket that helped me generate more power and spin."

"With this new version, I feel that I can balance those conditions much better, and for now, I am really satisfied with the feelings."

His stance on players' protests

"Honestly, I didn't even know about that protest until a few minutes ago because I don't use social media too much and wasn't aware. Each player is free to do what they consider right. I fully respect any decisions they make. In my case, I prefer to simply focus on playing good tennis and maintaining my performance on the court."

Just a few days before the start of Roland Garros 2026, it's evident that Stefanos Tsitsipas maintains confidence that he can still regain his best competitive form. The Greek arrives in Paris convinced that the key lies in improving physically, stabilizing his working environment, and regaining continuity on a circuit that is becoming increasingly demanding.