Stefanos Tsitsipas, Greece’s tennis champion, made history on Saturday by returning to the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Top 10 rankings after winning the title at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
With an impressive 6-3, 6-3 victory over Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime, the 26-year-old not only broke an 11-final losing streak at this level but also had a triumphant return to the top players of world tennis.
For Tsitsipas, this victory was crucial for his ego. The Greek star finally conquered the desert stage after losing two previous Dubai finals to legends Roger Federer (2019) and Novak Djokovic (2020). His excellent performance left his opponent unable to convert any of seven break points.
This win also comes after a challenging year in which Tsitsipas parted ways with his father and long-time coach, Apostolos Tsitsipas. Now coached by Dimitris Chatzinikolaou, the Greek player has found new levels of confidence, as seen by his improved performance on Saturday.
How did the game of Greece’s tennis champion Tsitsipas unfold
Tsitsipas offered to his fans a fantastic performance. The fourth-seeded Tsitsipas showcased a near-flawless game, with powerful groundstrokes and tactical precision. Despite a slow start at the beginning of the match, where Tsitsipas actually faced two break points, the Greek held firm and turned the tide with a crucial break at 4-3 in the opening set. This important moment came after Auger-Aliassime, leading 40-0 on his serve, came under pressure, allowing Tsitsipas to win five consecutive points and seize control.
From there, Tsitsipas reeled off four straight games to clinch the first set. His ability to elevate his game during key moments was evident throughout the match. He saved all seven break points he faced and converted three of his six opportunities against the Canadian.
The second set followed a similar pattern of high-intensity rallies and decisive moments. Auger-Aliassime fought like a champion, saving two break points early on and creating three of his own at 3-3. However, Tsitsipas remained unshaken, using his booming serve and precise forehand to escape trouble. The turning point came once again at 4-3 when Tsitsipas broke Auger-Aliassime’s serve with a combination of aggressive returns and well-timed drop shots.
Serving for the match at 5-3, Tsitsipas closed out the contest emphatically. The match lasted one hour and 28 minutes, during which Tsitsipas won an impressive 83 per cent of his first-serve points and displayed superior consistency in extended baseline exchanges.
This triumph is particularly significant for Tsitsipas. “It’s a big relief that I’m able to hold that trophy after the third attempt,” said an emotional Tsitsipas post-match. “I’m proud of how I managed the pressure and performed in those crucial moments.”
The win also improved Tsitsipas’ head-to-head record against Auger-Aliassime to 7-3 and guaranteed his return to the ATP Top 10 rankings for the first time since May 2024.
For Auger-Aliassime, who entered the final as one of the most in-form players of 2025 with titles in Adelaide and Montpellier, it was a frustrating evening. Despite creating more break opportunities than his opponent (seven compared to six), he failed to capitalize on any of them. His usually reliable serve also faltered under pressure, with only four aces compared to Tsitsipas’ eight.
