Stefanos Tsitsipas shared a heartfelt moment with his girlfriend Kristen after his first-round victory at the 2026 Madrid Open. The win held a great significance for the Greek tennis player, as it marked a much-needed turnaround after a challenging run of form and a shaky start to his Madrid Open campaign.
Tsitsipas staged a dramatic comeback to defeat American qualifier Patrick Kypson 3–6, 7–6(6), 7–6(4) in the first round. After dropping the opening set and being pushed to the brink in two tight tiebreaks, the Greek tennis player showed resilience under pressure to turn the match around.
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The result hit different because Stefanos Tsitsipas has spent most of 2026 stuck in a loop of early exits and witnessed a brutal rankings slide that’s seen him tumble out of the top 50 to around No. 80.
After the win, Stefanos Tsitsipas was seen embracing his girlfriend Kristen Thomas in a warm, heartfelt hug that capped off the emotional comeback.
Stefanos Tsitsipas opens up about his comeback victory
Stefanos Tsitsipas opened up about his first-round victory at the Madrid Open in a post-match press conference. The Greek player shared how he needs the victory to maintain his self-belief and strive to push his limits in the 2026 season.
He expressed how facing challenges early in the season has had a huge impact on him, and setbacks often raise self-doubt. Tsitsipas shared that he, along with his team, has been trying his best to improve on crucial aspects of his game.
“I really needed that win. When results don’t come, it’s difficult to maintain belief. I’ve been working hard to improve different aspects of my game, but without wins, it’s hard to trust the process,” he said.
Furthermore, the Greek player weighed in on competing against Patrick Kypson and shared his thoughts on struggling early in the match. Tsitsipas lauded the American and shared that his short selections were really tricky to play against.
“I didn’t know much about him, which made it tricky early on. He served well and mixed things up with his shots. He’s definitely a player with potential,” he added.
Next up, Tsitsipas faces Alexander Bublik in the Madrid Open second round, scheduled for April 25. It now sets up a tricky test against Bublik, who enters fresh with a bye, as Tsitsipas looks to build momentum after finally grinding out his first clay-court win of the season.
Edited by Adityan Pillai
