Stefanos Tsitsipas made history on Sunday after winning his first ATP 500 title at the Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championships. The 26-year-old defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime in a heated final battle, winning the match in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3. This victory marked a new record for the Greek, who had previously lost all 11 of his ATP 500 finals, including two in Dubai against tennis legends Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
Tsitsipas’s journey to the title was not without its challenges. He had faced several setbacks early in the 2025 season, including losses to Alex Michelsen in Australia and Mattia Bellucci in Qatar. However, a strategic decision to change his racket ahead of the Dubai tournament proved necessary, as he enjoyed his best week of the season, culminating in a triumphant performance against Auger-Aliassime.
The final itself was proof of how much more skilled and tough Tsitsipas had gotten. Even though Auger-Aliassime was entering the match, having led the ATP Tour with 16 wins and two titles in 2025, Tsitsipas remained focused, saving all seven break points he faced. The turning point came in the first set when Tsitsipas won five consecutive points from 40/0 down to break Auger-Aliassime’s serve, ultimately taking the set 6-3. He maintained this momentum in the second set, showcasing his all-court prowess to secure the win in just under 90 minutes.
Sunday’s victory not only ended Tsitsipas’ losing streak in the ATP 500 finals but also marked his return to the top 10 of the world rankings for the first time since May 2024. The move up the rankings is a reward for his hard work and dedication; as he noted, “Owning a spot in the top ten is definitely one of the greatest feelings a tennis player can experience.”
The win in Dubai was particularly meaningful for Tsitsipas, who had been driven by the desire to finally claim an ATP 500 title. “It’s a big relief that I’m able to hold that trophy after the third attempt,” he said, reflecting on his previous disappointments in Dubai. This triumph should kick off the start of a new phase of Tsitsipas’s career, as he continues to push for greater success, refusing to be counted out.
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