Tsitsipas Changed His Racket But Still Loses – What’s Destroying His Game?

Despite a highly publicized racket change, which has seemingly provided some improvements, Stefanos Tsitsipas’ main issue lies elsewhere—an issue that threatens his ability to compete with the best players in the world. If the Greek star doesn’t fix this flaw soon, his Grand Slam dreams may remain just that—dreams.

A New Racket, A New Hope?

In recent months, Tsitsipas has sought major changes to revamp his career. After years of stagnation, he made the bold decision to switch coaches and experiment with a new racket. His new Babolat frame—though still painted due to his endorsement contract with Wilson—has added extra power to his game.

And the numbers don’t lie:

• His forehand is now 6 km/h faster.
• His backhand has gained an extra 4 km/h in speed.
• His topspin has decreased, leading to a more aggressive and flatter approach.

With these adjustments, Tsitsipas triumphed in Dubai, displaying what was arguably his best backhand performance ever, scoring a remarkable 9.8 rating in his match against Griekspoor. But here’s the problem—one great performance doesn’t make a champion.

The Same Old Weakness: His Backhand Remains a Liability

Despite the technological upgrade, Tsitsipas’ backhand remains his Achilles’ heel. Top players know it, exploit it, and punish him for it.

This was painfully evident during his Indian Wells loss to Holger Rune. The Danish star relentlessly targeted Tsitsipas’ backhand, forcing errors and putting him in uncomfortable positions. Whether during serve returns or in high-stakes rallies, Rune made sure the Greek never found his rhythm—leading to a straight-set defeat.

And Rune is not alone in this strategy. Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, and even Rafael Nadal have all exposed this glaring weakness in past matches.

The harsh truth? No matter how much power his new racket gives him, it won’t fix his lack of variety and confidence on the backhand side.

Lessons from Federer: A Blueprint for Change?

Even the great Roger Federer struggled with a similar issue early in his career. As Nadal recently revealed in an interview with Andy Roddick, Federer initially tried to counter Nadal’s vicious forehand with a topspin backhand—and failed miserably.

It wasn’t until 2017 that Federer reinvented his backhand, hitting the ball on the rise and flattening out his shots. This pivotal adjustment led to his dominance over Nadal and a career resurgence.

Could Tsitsipas follow a similar path?

It’s possible. But the difference is that Federer made the change before it was too late. Tsitsipas must act now—or risk watching the new generation of stars leave him behind.

A Racket Can’t Fix His Biggest Issue—Time on the Court

What Tsitsipas truly needs is hours upon hours of dedicated backhand training.

No racket technology can replace the benefits of:

• Developing a stronger, flatter backhand like Federer’s 2017 transformation.
• Improving his backhand return, which is currently too passive and gives opponents an easy target.
• Building confidence in clutch moments, so he isn’t afraid to step in and attack rather than just defend.

This is where his coaching team must step up. If Tsitsipas truly wants to compete for Grand Slams, his backhand can no longer be a liability.

Is It Already Too Late for Tsitsipas?

Tsitsipas is still young, but time is not on his side. The tennis landscape is evolving rapidly, with stars like Alcaraz, Rune, and Sinner already proving themselves on the biggest stages.

Will Tsitsipas make the necessary adjustments in time?

If he doesn’t, his Grand Slam window may shut permanently. But if he embraces change, puts in the work, and transforms his backhand, he could finally overcome his demons and silence the critics.

One thing is certain—the clock is ticking.

Final Verdict: The Choice is His

Tsitsipas’ new racket is an improvement, but it’s just a band-aid on a much bigger problem. His backhand remains a glaring weakness, and unless he commits to a long-term solution, he will continue to fall short against elite competition.

Will he rise to the challenge—or fade into irrelevance?

The answer lies in his determination, willingness to adapt, and sheer hunger for greatness.

The Harsh Reality: Tsitsipas Must Evolve or Be Left Behind

The modern era of tennis is ruthless—and Tsitsipas is at a critical crossroads in his career. His talent is undeniable, his forehand is world-class, and his net game is sharp, but his backhand weakness remains an open wound that top players exploit with surgical precision.

If he doesn’t fix this, his future in the elite tier of tennis is in jeopardy.

Why His Backhand Is Still a Liability

While the racket change has helped his overall game, his backhand still lacks versatility. The issue isn’t just about hitting the ball harder—it’s about how he constructs points, how he handles pressure, and how he adapts against the world’s best.

• His one-handed backhand often fails under extreme pace—something players like Djokovic and Alcaraz have exposed.
• His return game on the backhand side is predictable, allowing opponents to dictate play early.
• Unlike Federer in his prime, he doesn’t step in and take control of rallies—instead, he’s often pushed back and forced to defend.

At the highest level, these small weaknesses become massive vulnerabilities.

What He Needs to Change—Immediately

1. Backhand Aggression
   Tsitsipas must stop playing defensively on his backhand and develop a flatter, more aggressive shot. If he keeps relying on slice or passive placement, he will always be on the back foot.

2. Return Improvement
   His backhand return must become a weapon, not a liability. Right now, his opponents serve to his backhand with confidence, knowing that he won’t punish them.

3. Better Shot Selection
   He must learn to mix up his backhand game—throwing in angles, depth changes, and early ball strikes. This would make it harder for players to target and give him more offensive options.

The Verdict: Time Is Running Out

Tsitsipas has everything he needs to succeed—except a complete backhand. If he doesn’t make the necessary adjustments, the next generation will leave him behind.

The question isn’t about potential—it’s about action.

Will he rise to the challenge? Or will he remain stuck in the same cycle of near-success and frustrating failures?

The clock is ticking.