Clay a dim memory as Tsitsipas steps onto grass

Stefano Tsitsipas vowed on Tuesday to improve his weakling grass court record as the Greek steps onto the lawns of the ATP Stuttgart event as top seed.

While he won’t start singles play until Thursday after a bye, the ATP No. 5 is getting his eye in as he plays doubles at the Weissenhof Club in this car-making capital with his brother.

Tsitsipas said he has already buried an unpleasant memory of his Roland Garros fourth-round loss to Dane Holger Rune and will focus all of his energies on grass-court improvement.

“I’ve already put Paris aside,” he said. “I love playing on grass, but I’ve had little success (two Wimbledon first-round losses in the last three editions).

“I’m not where I want to be on the surface. But I have the right intentions – I’m fully present and committed to my job on court.”

Tsitsipas added: “I’m trying to get as many (ranking) points as possible from each surface.

“I got a lot of clay points this spring (Monte Carlo title defence and Rome final) and I want to try and do the same on grass.”

The 23-year-old recalled the first time he ever played on grass (Roehampton juniors in London),  

“You don’t know what to expect, the bounce is different, the footwork is different.

“You have to edit your tennis to adapt to the surface. I’ve loved grass form the very beginning, it’s perfect for my game style.

“I like coming into the net and finishing (a point) with a volley.”