Stefanos Tsitsipas has responded to Rafael Nadal comments after the 22-time Grand Slam champion called out Greek’s Barcelona Open assumption about him as “stupid.”
Tsitsipas after Nadal’s elimination in the R2 of the tournament cleared that he does not mind being wrong while claiming that the Mallorcan has a habit of always coming back following injury setbacks.
Nadal lost to Aussie Alex de Minaur 5-7, 1-6 in his Round of 32 clash on Wednesday after beating Flavio Cobolli 6-2, 6-3 in the opener. The 37-year-old was appearing his first tourney since January because of recurring injury troubles. He had also not played a clay court event since winning 2022 Roland Garros.
Before Nadal’s comeback in Barcelona, Tsitsipas suggested that he would not be surprised to see the former World No. 1 in the final of the home event.
“I would say that Rafa, regardless of whether he hasn’t played at all or if that’s his first tournament, we all know what Rafa is capable of and how quickly he can adjust to one of his favorite surfaces, which is a clay court,” said the world No. 7.
“I would not be surprised if we saw Rafa be in the finals of Barcelona, because that is something that he has done over and over again for years and years and years.
“What he does have is this competitiveness and this fierce tennis when he gets into the momentum that sometimes feels like on the outside perspective like unstoppable.
“On court, things feel different, because you get the feeling of his ball. When you’re watching, you just get a visual sensation, but I have all six sensations enabled and activated when I have to face him. I think he’s the ultimate challenge on clay.”
Nadal, however, differed with Tsitsipas’ assessment as he recognized that his historical success at the event led the 11-time ATP titlist to make this statement.
“At the moment, it seems stupid to me, realistically. He knows that’s not the case, but I understand that out of respect for what I’ve done at this tournament why he is saying that,” proclaimed the Mallorcan in a press conference.
“As of today, everybody knows that I’m not the favorite to try to win a tournament. There is a history behind that I guess that weighs, but today I’m not favorite.”
Following Nadal’s loss to de Minaur, Tsitsipas declared he had no issue about his words being proved wrong, while pointing to the Spaniard’s track record of making successful comeback bids.
“I don’t mind being wrong, I’m not here to bet or make predictions. Rafa has had some injuries in the past but he always comes back,” the two-time Grand Slam finalist told reporters after his second round win on Wednesday.
“Especially since it was in Barcelona, his favorite tournament, at home. I saw a little bit of the match, I would say that de Minaur and three or four other players will fight for the title here.”
Tsitsipas, who earned his third Monte Carlo Masters title last week, is arguably the favorite to seal the Barcelona Open, where he is a three-time runner-up.
The 25-year-old brushed aside Sebastian Ofner in his opening clash at Barcelona and is set to face Roberto Carballes Baena in the R16 on Thursday.