Stefanos Tsitsipas’ disastrous 2026 run continued with another heavy loss, this time to Arthur Fils in the third round of the Miami Open. The Greek player was in good spirits after beating No. 5 seed Alex de Minaur in the second round, but couldn’t get his game going against the Frenchman on Sunday.
Fils crushed Tsitsipas 6-0, 6-1 to move on to the round of 16. The Greek looked weak on court, missing almost all of his forehands on Sunday. It was unsettling and seemed like Fils was facing an amateur at a Masters 1000 event. However, Tsitsipas might have a reason for his disappointing performance.
Fils was up a set and about to begin his first service game of the second after breaking the Greek early when Tsitsipas voiced his ire towards the chair umpire about a lightning issue on court, which was causing trouble because he couldn’t see the ball during rallies.
“You should be ashamed of yourself. Have you ever seen me serve and miss a forehand for 5 hours in a row? It doesn’t happen. I cannot see the ball. I don’t know how he sees the ball,” Tsitsipas complained to the umpire.
Stefanos Tsitsipas is Lacking Consistency This Season
While Tsitsipas has showcased moments of brilliance this year, he has struggled with consistency. Defeating a top-10 seed (Alex de Minaur) in a Masters 1000 event was remarkable, but then to lose the next match in such a harrowing fashion indicates a lack of depth in Tsitsipas’ gameplay.
This year, his best result came at the Qatar Open during the Middle East swing, where he reached the quarterfinals. The former World No. 3, a two-time Grand Slam finalist, has failed to assert his dominance against opponents he once breezed past on the ATP circuit.
While the signs are worrying for the Greek star, who continues to struggle this season, he will hope to raise his level and get back to winning ways when he plays at the Masters 1000 Monte Carlos Masters next.
Tsitsipas has won the prestigious Masters 1000 event in Moncao three times in the past and will hope that this tournament proves to be the turning point for him this year.
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