Stefanos Tsitsipas eliminated in the first round of Australian Open by Alex Michelsen

Stefanos Tsitsipas, a two-time Grand Slam finalist, expressed his disappointment after experiencing a significant upset in the first round of the Australian Open on Monday, stating, "it sucks."

He lamented the challenge of having to wait an extended period before his next tournament.

The 11th-seeded Greek player, who faced Novak Djokovic in the 2023 final at Melbourne Park, was defeated by American Alex Michelsen, ranked 20, with scores of 7-5, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4.

"The most frustrating aspect of losing in the first round of a Grand Slam is the excessive time available for recovery. I would prefer the opposite scenario, where I have less time to recover," he remarked.

"Honestly, that would be much more beneficial in terms of addressing issues."

"It is quite disheartening to know that I will be waiting for a considerable time before my next tournament."

"Given my competitive nature, I find that such situations are not particularly conducive for me."

Throughout the match, Tsitsipas appeared unsettled against Michelsen, who had him moving extensively across the court.

"I aimed to remain composed during the match, fully aware that it would be a tough contest until the end," said Michelsen, ranked 42, who achieved his first victory over a top-20 player in a Grand Slam.

"My serve faltered somewhat in the fourth set, but I am extremely pleased to have advanced."

"It all comes down to mindset. I entered the match with the right mentality and successfully executed my game plan," he added.

This defeat further exacerbated Tsitsipas's challenges following a lackluster 2024 season, during which his ranking fell from a career-high of three to its current position of 12.

He secured only one title, a repeat win at Monte Carlo, and faced a first-round elimination at the US Open.

Tsitsipas had hoped for a fresh start this year; however, his season began poorly with a loss in his opening match at the United Cup against 77th-ranked Alexander Shevchenko, a trend that continued into Melbourne.

"It was a challenging first-round match. I was aware that I was up against a formidable opponent, as I have faced him before and lost," he noted.

My initial performance was rather sluggish. I struggled to establish my movements and effectively capitalize on my serve plus one, which did not align with my expectations for how the match would unfold.

This situation resulted in a degree of frustration and, to some extent, uncertainty regarding my approach to the game.

I sincerely hope to regain my composure and transform this experience into a strength in my overall performance.