Stefanos Tsitsipas exposes ‘ridiculous’ tennis reality

Stefanos Tsitsipas’ misery has inadvertently exposed “dangerous” fine print in the ATP rule book that has left players scared.

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - MARCH 28: Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece leaves the court after losing to Karen Khachanov of Russia during the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 28, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Stefanos Tsitsipas has exposed a “dangerous” reality players face as a result of a widely overlooked section of the ATP Tour regulations.

The Greek star was on Wednesday morning knocked out of the Miami Open, having entered the event complaining of injuries.

The world No. 3 has been troubled by a shoulder injury in recent weeks and has been on a miserable run of form since the Australian Open.

The No. 2 seed was eliminated by Karen Khachanov, who has moved through to the quarter-finals. It was the Russian’s first career victory over Tsitsipas, having lost their previous six meetings. It was also Khachanov’s first win over a top 10 opponent since 2019.

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Tsitsipas had to wait a week for his first contest in Miami, beating Chilean Cristian Garin on Monday, but he came unstuck against Khachanov, losing 7-6 (7/4), 6-4.

Tsitsipas’ comments after the win over Garin were telling.

He said the only reason he was playing the tournament was because he feared being penalised by the ATP Tour if he skipped the event.

“There’s an ATP rule if you don’t play in a Masters 1000, they take away your best 1000 result of last year,” Tsitsipas said, according to Tennis Channel commentator Prakash Amritraj.

“You can’t add points. I had to play. You also get fined. It’s frustrating to have to think about this on top of your injury.”

Stefanos Tsitsipas is on a bad run. Photo by CLIVE BRUNSKILL / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP.

Under ATP Tour regulations, commitment players (those players ranked in the top 30) are required to be available to play all Masters-grade tournaments — unless injured.

Players face a range of punishments for skipping events and risk further penalties “for not being in good standing” with the Tour.

It’s why Tsitsipas was so desperate to compete in Miami and at Indian Wells earlier this month out of fear of having ranking points taken away.

According to the Tennis Channel’s Gil Gross, Tsitsipas’ team feared the ATP Tour hitting the star with the loss of his best Masters result — even thought it was unlikely the Tour would seek to use such a significant penalty.

Tennis commentator Bastien Fachan wrote on Twitter the mandatory participation at 1000-level events is “ridiculous and dangerous” for players.

The rules for players being able to reduce their commitment to playing in Masters-level events is only applicable to players who have played 600 matches, or have been on the circuit for 12 years, or are older than 30.

Stefanos Tsitsipas waves goodbye to those ranking points. Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images.

Tsitsipas has now lost four of his past six matches.

World number one Carlos Alcaraz, meanwhile, has won 17 of his past 18 matches.

The Spaniard charged into the quarter-finals with a convincing 6-3, 6-3 victory over Tommy Paul.

Alcaraz, the defending Miami champion and also the winner at Indian Wells earlier this month, will face another American in the last eight when he comes up against Taylor Fritz.

Paul came into the match having won his last 12 encounters with Spanish players, including wins over Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal last year, but he was unable to get a foothold in the contest.

It was the ninth straight victory for the 19-year-old Spaniard.

“I moved well and defended well and I counter-attacked and I think if I play at that same level I will have a lot of chances to get through,” said Alcaraz.

“I feel at home here. It is easy to play here in Miami with all the energy I receive every day.”

In a clash of top-10 players, American Fritz defeated Denmark’s Holger Rune 6-3, 6-4 to reach to the last eight in Miami for the first time in his career.

— with AFP