Roger Federer calls on Stefanos Tsitsipas to ‘take it to the next level’ and bounce back from dip in form

Roger Federer has said he hopes to see Stefanos Tsitsipas “taking it to the next level” after the Greek’s recent dip in form.

The 25-year-old reached a career high of third in the ATP Tour rankings in 2021 but slipped out of the top 10 earlier this year following a run of poor results.

It means there are no players in the top 10 of the men’s rankings that deploy a single-handed backhand but more pertinently, if Tsitsipas continues his descent, his tournament draws will become harder.

The Greek reached the final of the Australian Open in 2023 but exited the same event in the fourth round this year, losing in four sets to Taylor Fritz.

A defeat in the semi-finals at the Los Cabos Open to Casper Ruud followed, before he was beaten by Alex de Minaur in the last eight of the Mexican Open.

Tsitsipas then lost 6-2 6-4 to Jiri Lehecka in the last 16 at Indian Wells, meaning his wait for a first Masters 1000 title since August 2022 goes on.

Speaking to Greek outlet Cosmote TV, Federer was asked what he thought of Tsitsipas’ game.

“Good, I mean, I obviously lost against him a bunch of times and I think he’s a great player, but I would like to see him taking it to the next level. So I wish him very well,” the 20-time Grand Slam champion said.

“Of course, Tsitsipas is still doing well, and I hope he can do great this year and have another breakthrough.”

Lehecka is the first Czech to reach the quarter-finals of an ATP Tour Masters 1000 event and admitted it was his “aggressiveness” that helped him prevail and set up a meeting with Italy’s Jannik Sinner.

Sinner, the Australian Open champion, dug deep to beat Ben Shelton in the last 16 for his 18th victory in a row.

In the top half of the draw, Tommy Paul and Casper Ruud will square off for a place in the last four in California, with the winner to take on Daniil Medvedev or Holger Rune.