Stefanos Tsitsipas won his first title in almost a year and broke a finals hoodoo as he cruised past Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3 6-3 in the Dubai final on Saturday.
“There is nothing that ensured the win today, it was just pure fighting,” said Tsitsipas after winning in one hour and 28 minutes.
He has won the season-ending ATP Finals and at the tour’s top-level 1000 events, but had lost all of his previous 11 finals at 500 tournaments.
Those defeats included two losses in Dubai – to Roger Federer in 2019 and Novak Djokovic in 2020.
“It’s a big relief that I’m able to hold that trophy after the third attempt,” the fourth-seeded Tsitsipas said on court.
“It’s something that I had in the back of my mind, and I’m happy to say I accomplished it.”
“These are the things we are fighting for as professional tennis players,” said Tsitsipas.
“To be owning a spot in the top 10 is definitely one of the greatest feelings a tennis player can experience.
“It comes with hard work and sacrifices, but I’m happy that I’m in a position where I can really celebrate.”
