Tennis great Boris Becker has weighed in on the sharp decline of Stefanos Tsitsipas, offering a hopeful assessment as the Greek star’s ranking continues to fall. Once viewed as a future Grand Slam champion and a pillar of the sport’s next generation, Tsitsipas now finds himself outside the top tier.
Stefanos Tsitsipas’ Rise from Next Gen Prospect to ATP Top-Three Contender
For context, Tsitsipas’ trajectory over the past few years has been dramatic. Once a mainstay in the top three and widely viewed as a leading figure of the sport’s “Next Gen,” he built his reputation on an attacking, all-court style that delivered early success. His breakout run in 2018 included wins over four top-10 opponents in Toronto, while 2019 saw him defeat Roger Federer at the Australian Open and capture the ATP Finals title in London.
By 2021, he had climbed to world No. 3, secured a Masters 1000 title in Monte Carlo, and pushed Novak Djokovic to five sets in the Roland Garros final. However, that loss in Paris marked a turning point. While he remained competitive through 2023, the gap between him and the rising duo of Alcaraz and Sinner widened as they ruthlessly exploited his vulnerable backhand return.
MORE: Stefanos Tsitsipas’ Collapse in the Rankings Has Continued With No End in Sight
However, the true collapse occurred in 2025, a year defined by a chronic back injury so severe that Tsitsipas recently admitted he considered retirement. He struggled to finish matches, his movement lost its characteristic fluidity, and he plummeted to No. 34 by the end of the year.
The start of 2026 has been particularly grim. A series of early-round exits, including an early loss in Dubai, where he was the defending champion, and a first-round exit at his beloved Monte-Carlo, has caused his ranking to crater. Now 27 years old, Tsitsipas is in a desperate rebuilding phase, recently switching to a Babolat racket and attempting to play smaller events like the ATP 500 in Munich to scavenge points.
What Does Boris Becker Believe Tsitsipas Must Change To Revive His Career?
Becker’s remarks cut directly to the heart of that decline. Reacting to Tsitsipas’ latest ranking drop, the six-time Grand Slam champion wrote, “Wondering when does he realise, he might have to change a few things in his professional life?” Adding a note of cautious optimism, he wrote: “He is still young enough to turn it around, if he really wants to…”
Becker shared his thoughts on X shortly after Tsitsipas’ ranking dipped further following his opening-round loss in Munich. The current world No. 67 is projected to hit No. 78 next week due to his first-round defeat to Fabian Marozsan at the BMW Open.
