Tsitsipas Seeks Redemption in US Open Clash With Muller
Stefanos Tsitsipas is stepping onto the courts of the U.S. Open this week carrying more questions than answers. Once celebrated as one of tennis’s brightest stars, the 27-year-old Greek is now being spoken about as a man at a crossroads. His first-round meeting with France’s Alexandre Muller is being viewed not only as a match but also as a test of whether Tsitsipas can rediscover the form that once made him a regular contender at the sport’s biggest stages.
On paper, Tsitsipas should be the favorite. He was ranked inside the world’s top ten only a few months ago, and his game—built around a fluid one-handed backhand and an aggressive forehand—has taken him to two Grand Slam finals. Yet the harsh truth is that the Greek has been in freefall for much of 2025. Six of his last eight matches have ended in defeat, and many of those losses came against players ranked well outside the top 50. Even more concerning is the fact that he has not managed to string together more than two consecutive wins since early spring. For someone of his talent, that is a startling drought.
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The struggles have not been confined to the court. Off-court distractions and coaching changes have left Tsitsipas searching for stability. At one point, he even turned back to his father for guidance, a move that signaled how unsettled he has felt about his career path. Fans who once expected him to challenge Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jannik Sinner for major titles are now left wondering whether his peak has already passed.
Yet this opening round could provide the spark he badly needs. His opponent, Alexandre Muller, is also navigating his own slump. Ranked 38 in the world, the Frenchman made a strong start to the season, but his recent record shows more defeats than victories. Like Tsitsipas, he has been unable to find rhythm or confidence in the build-up to New York. And history favors the Greek—he leads their head-to-head meetings two matches to none.
Still, Muller is not to be dismissed. At 28, he is entering what should be his prime years, and he will see this match as a golden opportunity to claim a high-profile scalp. His powerful serve and willingness to attack the net could unsettle Tsitsipas if the Greek cannot find his timing early.
What Tsitsipas does have on his side is the crowd. New York’s large Greek community traditionally rallies behind him, and that support may provide the lift he needs. If he finds rhythm on his forehand and returns with purpose, the match could swing quickly in his favor. If not, it may turn into a tense battle between two players desperately searching for momentum.
For Tsitsipas, this is about more than advancing to the next round. It is about proving to himself—and to the tennis world—that he still belongs among the elite. Tuesday night in New York might just reveal whether a comeback is possible, or whether the doubts about his decline will only grow louder.
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