Stefanos Tsitsipas joined a unique collection of players to win the Monte Carlo Masters on three or more occasions after his stunning week concluded with a victory in the final against Casper Ruud.
After a poor run of form over the last 12 months, Tsitsipas rocketed back into the top ten of the ATP Rankings with a 6-1, 6-4 win to seal his third title in four years in the Principality.
This victory saw Tsitsipas become the fifth player to win three or more Monte Carlo titles, as he added his name to a list that includes the great Rafael Nadal (11), tennis legend Bjorn Borg (3), the formidable Thomas Muster (3) and 1970s icon Ilie Nastase (3).
After such a challenging period in his career, this was a moment to savour for Tsitsipas, who collapsed on the red clay after he sealed the match point, with his emotion clear as he gave his verdict on court.
“It’s been very difficult to be back on the podiums and winning tournaments,” said Stefanos Tsitsipas.
“It just feels amazing. I can’t thank enough my family, my friends, and I am generous to every single person behind this journey.
“The trinity is even more special than the first or second time so this is purely unbelievable for me.
“I showed some unbelievable, ruthless tennis.”
It was another near miss for Ruud, who is still waiting to clinch his first Grand Slam or ATP 1000 title, despite appearing in six finals.
“Today didn’t feel so close because I lost straight sets to Stef, but he also played very well,” said Ruud.
“I told him on the court. I mean, he’s maybe had a few struggles the last six, seven months. I think we can be open and say that.
“He fell out of the top 10 a few weeks ago for the first time in a really long time. Now he will be back in it. I think that’s where he belongs. His level is really good when he plays like this. It’s nice to see him back in the top 10.
📊 Players to win 3+ Monte Carlo titles:
11 – Rafael Nadal (2005-12, 2016-18)
3 – Bjorn Borg (1977, 79-80)
3 – Thomas Muster (1992, 95-96)
3 – Ilie Nastase (1971-73)
3 – STEFANOS TSITSIPAS (2021-22, 24) 🇬🇷@steftsitsipas #RolexMonteCarloMasters pic.twitter.com/LCTgkSwdgO
“I think I have taken a few steps this week, but today it just didn’t work out well.
“Obviously saying that I took a few steps, I think I played well on the clay and also yesterday beating Djokovic was a fantastic win for me and something that I hope I can kind of take confidence from.
“Maybe not today but maybe next time I play a big match or hopefully next time if I’m in a big final again I will think about maybe the fact that I have beaten Novak before can be something that can give me.”
After a barren run without significant titles, Tsitsipas should be inspired to bounce back into form after this victory and he will be back up to No 7 in the ATP Rankings with the 1,000 points added to his total.
In what will be a welcome consolation to Ruud, he will rise up to No 6 in the updated rankings, making a leap of four places after his impressive run in Monte Carlo, which included a semi-final victory against world No 1 Novak Djokovic.