Stefanos Tsitsipas, a two-time Grand Slam finalist, faced an unexpected early exit from the French Open as he lost to unseeded Matteo Gigante in the second round, with a score of 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, 6-4. This defeat marks Tsitsipas’ earliest departure at Roland-Garros since 2018.
The 26-year-old Greek player, who was the 20th seed, has a history of strong performances at the French Open, having reached the finals in 2021 and the quarterfinals in recent years. His struggle this time surprised many, as he acknowledged, “I expected bigger things from myself these two weeks,” admitting to moments of immaturity during the match and an inability to maintain focus. Tsitsipas had a challenging day on the court, accumulating 49 unforced errors, which he noted contributed to his downfall.
Credit must be given to Gigante, who despite being ranked No. 167, played exceptionally well, utilizing effective drop shots and showcasing his athleticism throughout the match. Gigante secured the victory with an ace and described this win as the biggest of his career, noting his gratitude for the opportunity to compete at such a high level.
This defeat follows a disappointing first-round exit for Tsitsipas at the Australian Open earlier this year, marking a concerning trend of early eliminations against unseeded players. “I just need to use my experience a little bit more wisely,” Tsitsipas reflected, indicating his desire to learn from these setbacks.
Gigante is set to face 13th-seeded American Ben Shelton in the upcoming third round, while Tsitsipas will need to regroup and refocus for future tournaments.
This event serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of sports, highlighting that even top players can have challenging days. There may still be a silver lining for Tsitsipas as he capitalizes on these lessons and prepares for future competitions.