For Stefanos Tsitsipas, the journey from boyhood dreamer to global tennis star has always been powered by inspiration. One of the brightest sparks in that journey was his childhood hero - Marcos Baghdatis, the charismatic Greek-Cypriot who once lit up the sport with fearless shot-making and an unforgettable run to the 2006 AO final. Years later, Tsitsipas seemed destined to follow a similar path when he reached the Melbourne Park final in 2023, mirroring the feat of the man he idolized. But 2025 has told a different story…

Results have dipped, confidence has wavered, and the former world number 3 has struggled to find the rhythm that once made him a consistent threat at the sport’s biggest stages. Currently ranked 34th in the world, Tsitsipas had a win-loss record of 22-18. However, he did manage to celebrate one title triumph (Dubai Tennis Championships) last season. During a recent exclusive interview with Tennis365, Baghdatis was asked what Tsitsipas needs to do to overcome the struggles he had this season.

Replying to that, the former world number 8 said, “Listen, it’s very hard from the outside when you don’t know what’s going [on] inside, to say what he needs to do. That’s for sure. I think it’s decision-making, mostly. And if he can go back to the level he was, top 10 in the world? Of course he can. I still believe he can.” The Cypriot knows all too well how subtle the lines are between confidence and doubt, between clarity and confusion. He has lived those phases himself - the highs of Grand Slam finals, the lows of ranking slides, and the long nights spent rethinking every decision. 

Speaking about Stefanos Tsitsipas, he further added, “But of course, it’s all the decisions and the things that you need to do to get there that are important. So, it depends on a lot of decisions that he will take in the next few weeks, months. But I think if he takes the right decisions… which, it’s very difficult to say which one.” The message was clear: the path back isn’t predetermined. There’s no single fix, no shortcut. Instead, it’s a series of small, progressive steps - each one requiring honesty and acceptance.

“[What] I would suggest from my experience as an ex-professional tennis player, maybe, is to get back to the basics. Start from scratch. Start from zero again and accept where you are right now and build up on that. And not to think that… when you are top 10 and then you fall down, you always want to feel the same that you felt when you were there or when you played that match, but it’s not possible to feel the same,” he suggested to Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Marcos Baghdatis believes that Tsitsipas' acceptance is the key right now, like where he’s right now, and to take it one step at a time from there. For Tsitsipas, hearing such words from someone he admired growing up may carry more weight than any technical analysis. It’s the kind of advice that resonates, not just because it comes from a former pro, but because it comes from a man who has lived the highs and the lows - and learned how to rise again.

In a previous interview, while speaking about his relationship with Baghdatis, Stefanos Tsitsipas said, “My hero is Marcos, and he is now my best friend, which is quite special. He lost in five sets, but the effort, the adrenaline, the crowd atmosphere, you had everything in that match, and there was drama. I think for Marcos, facing his idol was quite special.”

They share a quite strong bond. However, this wasn’t the first time we’ve seen Baghdatis speak about Tsitsipas. In July 2025, during an interview with Ubitennis, he said, “We see that some decisions he has made in the last two years are backfiring. But for him, in a way, he has lost his way a bit. I think he is going through an unfortunate time, but I am sure he will find a way to recover. Right now, he is doubting himself, which is normal when you are lost.”

The 2025 season didn’t quite go according to Stefanos Tsitsipas’ plans. But can he bounce back strongly in the next season with some impressive runs at the major tournaments?

Tennis experts share their concerns about Stefanos Tsitsipas ahead of the 2026 season

For much of his career, Stefanos Tsitsipas carried an aura that felt unmistakable - the confidence of a man destined to dominate the sport. From his artistic shot-making to his fearlessness on the big stages, the Greek star had long been considered one of the few players capable of shaking up the post-Big 3 landscape. But as the 2026 season approaches, some experts who might have once considered him as the future of men’s tennis now find themselves whispering a different tune - one filled with concern, caution, and unanswered questions.

Injuries, controversies, and disappointments: the 2025 season has been an ordeal for the Greek superstar. He ended his season with a pledge to come back stronger in 2026.

During an interview, when he was asked what he feels he needs to do to return to the world’s top 5, Stefanos Tsitsipas said, “I need a healthy body. I’ve been discussing this with my team. I need a healthy body to give myself more chances to maybe rebound and be back in the top five. If I’m not going to be healthy, it’s going to be a very difficult task for me to be at the top of my game again.”

His journey over the last few years has been anything but predictable. But what do tennis experts say about his chances in the upcoming years? Well, according to top analyst Benoit Maylin, “Tsitsipas announced his decision to end his 2025 season, playing neither in Paris nor Athens. The collective feeling is that he no longer exists at the highest level and that he is already on a downward trajectory at the age of 27. He is destined to drop out of the Top 30 of the ATP rankings and there is no optimism ahead of 2026.”

His ranking slide has only amplified this conversation. The fear is not that Stefanos Tsitsipas lacks ability - it’s that his progress has stalled just as a new generation is rising with breathtaking speed. Talking about his chances at the Grand Slams, Jimmy Connors also gave a warning in a previous interview. Speaking about players like Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev, he said, “Their time of having a chance to win a Grand Slam, the door’s closing pretty quick.”

Do you agree with it, though, or do you think Tsitsipas has a good chance at the 2026 AO?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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