Stefanos Tsitsipas admits he has a ‘mental barrier’ playing Carlos Alcaraz after French Open quarter-final defeat – Eurosport

Stefanos Tsitsipas says he needs to overcome a “mental barrier” when he next plays Carlos Alcaraz after losing to the Spaniard in straight sets in the French Open quarter-finals.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Tsitsipas says there is a mental obstacle stopping him from beating Alcaraz.

“There was some voodoo stuff going on today on the court,” he told reporters.

“I wasn’t able to just get the ball where I wanted. It’s really unbelievable.

“I tend to believe that my ball quality is one of the best on the tour and every time I get to play Carlos, I feel like he delivers a shot quality that I don’t quite get against other opponents.

“It just brings me trouble, I feel like his shot hits deep and has a lot of top spin to it.

“I just haven’t been able to come up with something good. He, in a way, overpowers me but is also patient enough to do it in a very constructive way.

“I just need to get through that mental barrier. There was some voodoo stuff going on today on the court. I wasn’t able to just get the ball where I wanted. It’s really unbelievable.”

Tsitsipas conceded that Alcaraz was simply “too good” on the day and admits his confidence has been affected by the defeat.

“Well, I was feeling great with my tennis so far,” he said.

“I know I had two matches that ended up in the fourth set, and I was accumulating great confidence, especially against [Matteo] Arnaldi. I feel like the last three sets were phenomenal from my end. I played close to 100 per cent.

“I haven’t felt this way in a very long time in regards of my tennis. Where I’m constantly pressing him, and I feel like I’m kind of getting him by the throat and not letting him breathe. That was the type of things I was always aiming to play as a player.

“I was really able to pull that off with him the other day on Suzanne Lenglen.

“I saw a great trajectory of mine being headed towards a very unique great path. I haven’t had this feeling in any Roland-Garros edition that I have participated in. So my chances, yes, I won’t lie, I was confident.

“I felt more confident than I usually am. Maybe that hurt me I guess. I don’t know. I was pretty sure I could face Carlos today and maybe do something different than any other time that I have played. The kid is just too good. I can only congratulate him because he’s really playing amazing.

“I’ve maximised anything that I was able to try and do out on the court. I’ve maximised everything. I just need to figure this out.

“It’s a difficult journey. It’s not a pleasant one, for sure. Of course, I wish him the best because when I play against him, I get reminded of how much there is to get better at as a tennis player.”