Paula Badosa extended her support to Stefanos Tsitsipas following his disappointing first-round exit at the Australian Open, referring to her boyfriend as “a champion.” Tsitsipas, the 2023 Australian Open runner-up, faced a setback on Monday as he was defeated by world No. 42 Alex Michelsen with a scoreline of 7-5, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4. This loss marked a challenging continuation for the Greek player, who struggled significantly during the latter half of 2024 and was seeking a strong start to the 2025 season.
Despite his disappointment, Tsitsipas maintained a positive outlook, expressing hope for the future in an Instagram post. “Every toss begins with hope, every swing carries purpose, and every fist pump reminds me why I love this journey,” he wrote. The former world No. 3 emphasized that tennis transcends mere victories and defeats, highlighting the importance of the journey itself. He reflected on the raw and honest moments that define his love for the sport, stating, “These moments – raw, honest, and unfiltered. These are the moments that keep me coming back.”
Badosa’s encouraging comment on Tsitsipas’ post—”Once a champion, always a champion”—underscored her unwavering belief in him. Tsitsipas’ performance in 2024 was marked by a solitary strong showing during the clay season, where he won the Monte Carlo Masters and reached the quarterfinals of the French Open. However, his overall results fell short of expectations. The start of the 2025 season has not improved, with Tsitsipas initially defeating Pablo Carreno Busta at the United Cup before suffering a surprising loss to Alexander Shevchenko and then to Michelsen at the Australian Open. As the 26-year-old navigates this challenging phase, it remains to be seen whether he can regain his form and reestablish himself as a contender for major titles.
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