Stefanos Tsitsipas Ends 16-Month Drought with Emotional Message

Stefanos Tsitsipas has finally ended his 16-month wait for an ATP Tour final, a drought that had become an unusual anomaly in his otherwise consistent career. The Greek reached the championship match at the Swiss Open Gstaad after defeating Aleksandr Shevchenko 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in the semi-finals.

What happened?

Tsitsipas' victory marked another step forward for the former world No. 3, who had not reached an ATP final since winning the title in Dubai in March 2025. The Greek had never gone more than a year without competing for a title, and his run in Gstaad represents his 31st career final. He will look to improve his current record of 12 wins and 18 defeats in championship matches.

Why it matters for Stefanos Tsitsipas

Tsitsipas' semi-final match against Shevchenko was a physical battle that tested his ability to recover after losing control in the second set. However, the Greek raised his level when it mattered most, producing a dominant serving performance in the decider by winning 11 of 12 first-serve points in the final set. Tsitsipas praised Shevchenko's performance, admitting that the semi-final could have gone either way, highlighting the quality of the contest between both players.

What comes next?

Tsitsipas will now face Raphael Collignon in the final, with the Belgian reaching his first ATP Tour championship match after saving a match point against Juan Manuel Cerundolo in a dramatic comeback victory. Tsitsipas knows the opportunity represents another important moment as he attempts to rebuild momentum and return to the level that previously made him a Grand Slam finalist and a consistent presence among the world's best players. "We've both had long matches," Tsitsipas said about the upcoming final. "We both really want it. We've come to the end, the two of us, so I feel like no one wants to go out there and not give it their all. It's one last breath."

Tsitsipas added that he wants to approach the final with an aggressive mindset as he looks for his first title of the season. "I want to get out there and take the court by storm," Tsitsipas said. A victory in Gstaad would give Tsitsipas his 13th ATP title (6th in clay-courts) and his first trophy since Dubai 2025, while also marking another positive step after a challenging stretch that saw him searching for consistency.

Stefanos Tsitsipas-Clay-Court Finals

Tsitsipas' run in Gstaad has been a testament to his resilience and determination to return to the top of the game. With a win in the final, he will be one step closer to achieving his goal of becoming a consistent champion in the world of tennis.