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This Monday marks the start of a new edition of one of the grass season classics, the Halle tournament. The event boasts a lineup filled with most of the current tennis stars, including Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Tsitsipas Eyes Redemption in Halle

Greek tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas is set to make his return after a quarterfinal exit at Roland Garros, where he was ousted by rising sensation Carlos Alcaraz. With his eyes set on redemption, Tsitsipas spoke to German media on Sunday, fielding questions about the UEFA Euro 2024 that kicked off last Friday in Germany.

Greece's Absence and Tsitsipas' Favorite Team

While Greece's absence from the tournament might ease some of Tsitsipas' nerves, it hasn't dampened his enthusiasm for the event. Interestingly, Tsitsipas has a favorite team for the Euro 2024—Spain. The reason? His relationship with Spanish tennis player Paula Badosa.

"I have to keep my girlfriend happy, so I go with Spain," the Greek star quipped.

Tsitsipas is slated to debut in the first round against German wildcard Henri Squire and could face Jannik Sinner in the quarterfinals.

Coaching Changes and New Challenges

Stefanos Tsitsipas arrives at Halle without his longtime physical trainer, Christos Fiotakis, who parted ways with the world number 11 just days ago. Fiotakis expressed his dissatisfaction with Tsitsipas' current plans, questioning his commitment to reaching the pinnacle of the sport.

"I hope he understands at some point that what I am saying is correct and that he climbs to the highest step on the podium. I am not happy with Stefanos' work ethic. Beyond that, there are things beyond my control," Fiotakis said.

"The atmosphere in the team does not match my energy, and unfortunately, we have other priorities. At this moment, I do not believe his ultimate goal is to play tennis, reach the top of the rankings, or win Grand Slams. That's why I can't travel for seven months straight, with only 25 days at home, when the goals are not high and I travel just for the sake of traveling," he concluded.

What Lies Ahead for Tsitsipas?

As Tsitsipas gears up for the Halle tournament, the absence of Fiotakis will be a significant factor. Will he be able to overcome this hurdle and make a strong statement on the grass courts? Only time will tell. With key matches lined up and a renewed focus, Tsitsipas aims to prove his doubters wrong and reignite his journey to the top.

Editor: Emiliia Morozova