Stefanos Tsitsipas’ honest verdict on turning point in his Monte Carlo win over Jannik Sinner

Ewan West
Stefanos Tsitsipas celebrates beating Jannik Sinner in Monte Carlo Masters 2024
Stefanos Tsitsipas celebrates his win over Jannik Sinner in Monte Carlo

Stefanos Tsitsipas has admitted his semi-final victory against Jannik Sinner at the Monte Carlo Masters “would have turned out completely different” if he had not benefitted from a controversial line call. 

The Greek feels the key decision may have had a “bigger influence” on Sinner than it did on him, while recognising it “would have been pretty bad” for his chances if the call had not gone in his favour.

Tsitsipas overcame world No 2 Sinner 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in the last four of the 2024 Monte Carlo Masters on Saturday to claim a huge triumph and reach his third final at the event.

The current world No 12 has secured his return to the top 10 of the ATP Rankings, with his semi-final win lifting him to ninth in the Live Rankings, while victory in the final would see him climb to seventh position.

The 25-year-old won four straight games from 2-4 down to turn the final set around against Sinner after he had secured a crucial hold of serve.

Tsitsipas saved two break points to hold for 2-3 to avoid going a double break down — one of which after his second serve was called in, despite being shown by hawkeye to be well out. Had the double fault been called, Tsitsipas would have fallen 1-4 behind and been in a very difficult spot.

READ MORE: Jannik Sinner admits ‘it’s tough to accept’ controversial line call in Monte Carlo loss


Speaking in his post-match press conference, Tsitsipas was asked about the influence he felt the line call on the break point had on the match.

“It might have had bigger influence to my opponent than it had on me. I was dealing with a break down at that moment. Of course, double break down wouldn’t make things easier for me (smiling), and just holding serve there was crucial,” said Tsitsipas.

“I think the match would have turned out completely different if that would have been called out. I will agree that it would have been pretty bad for me if that call was made.

“There are a lot of weird things on clay that we don’t see on other surfaces. One of them is the line calling and sometimes the marking. As someone that has played a lot on clay, I try and make the calls myself. I don’t rely too much on line umpires to do their job.

“Always, whenever I hit a ball that’s close to the baseline or the sideline that I think might be out, I hit it and I just have a quick look before I continue the point.

“So I have learned this way. That’s why I don’t get in conversations or arguments with umpires, because I understand mistakes can happen. I try to rely entirely upon myself. That’s how I grew up doing.”

Tsitsipas will face Casper Ruud in the Monte Carlo final as he looks to win his third title at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament following his victories in 2021 and 2022.

READ MORE: ATP Rankings Winners and Losers from Monte Carlo: Tsitsipas in top 10, Ruud +4, Rune -5

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