Stefanos Tsitsipas, who came into the Madrid Open with form by his side, eventually bottled his first match against the Brazilian Thiago Monteiro. The Greek sensation, who stunned everyone with his third title triumph at Monte Carlo, was expecting a dominant run here in Madrid as well. However, things did not turn out in his favor, and eventually, he had to deal with a straight-set defeat.

Considered one of the dark horses on clay, he admired his clay-court inspiration, Rafael Nadal. Despite being a Roger Federer fanboy all his life, he had the utmost respect for the Spaniard who made clay his fortress. He suggested that much of his success on the clay courts was only because of Nadal.

Tsitsipas suggested that many of his wins on clay were a result of studying and applying the strategies Nadal has perfected over the years. He sees Nadal as a great example of how to excel on the clay surface, with his unmatched skills, which serve as an inspiration for aspiring players worldwide.

“I think I owe many of the great titles I have won on clay to him. His game is a source of inspiration for other players to try to take advantage of his best qualities on clay. It’s something he’s done very well for over a decade. So I try to apply some of the things that he’s been using very effectively and accurately within his abilities and apply them to my game. I think he has been a great example of what clay court tennis should be and how it should be played. After all, he has been the greatest to have passed through our sport,” said Tsitsipas in the interview.

However, he went ahead to express his disappointment in the fact that it would be saddening not to see Rafa playing on the Madrid courts again. Tsitsipas further went ahead to add that Rafael Nadal has left an indelible mark on the sport, and his legacy will always shine bright in the game. However, the void created by Rafa’s absence will always be there.

“It is a shame not to see him again in Madrid. I believe his legacy will last forever. He has put in absolutely stellar performances and has broken records that I don’t think will be broken again in tennis,” he further added.

Thus, Rafael Nadal, who has left a great mark on the game, will always be missed. From young upcoming players to even some of the best, like Tsistspas and Nadal, everyone has always stood up as a beacon of hope and inspiration.

Stefanos Tsitsipas revealed his secret tactics to face Rafael Nadal in the match.

Interestingly, Rafael Nadal and Stefanos Tsitsipas could have crossed paths in Barcelona had Nadal managed to make his way through. However, Tsitsipas was all set to face him in the match and even gave his insights on how to play against the greatest on clay. He suggested that to face someone like Nadal, he would have to enable all his six sensations and then fight against him.

“What he does have is this competitiveness and this fierce tennis when he gets into the momentum that sometimes feels [from] the outside perspective unstoppable,” Tsitsipas said. “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.”

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Thus, Stefanos Tsitsipas, who has been a longtime admirer of Rafael Nadal, came ahead and made an honest revelation about the Spaniard. While he has been one of the top players for a long time, his legacy will always be intact, and the void left by him will always be remembered.