"Peaked when coachcaraz was in box"- Fans stunned by Stefanos Tsitsipas' Japan Open 1R loss, days after Laver Cup stint with Carlos Alcaraz, others

Stefanos Tsitsipas crashing out to Alex Michelsen in the opening round of the 2024 Japan Open has stunned tennis fans. However, many have pointed to the Greek's health struggles during the match as a possible reason for his performance.

Tsitsipas has been struggling with form for the past few months and has yet to win two consecutive matches since the Paris Olympics. He also relieved his father Apostolos of his coaching duties after an underwhelming performance at the Canadian Open.

Though Tsitsipas might have hoped to see a change in his rhythm after recharging himself at the Laver Cup, where he displayed some fine tennis in singles against Thanasi Kokkinakis, that didn't work out for the Greek in Japan open as he was defeated by Michelsen 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.

This sparked discussion among fans, who were stunned by Stefanos Tsitsipas' early exit. One fan joked how the Greek displayed his best tennis when coach Carlos Alcaraz was in his box, alluding to them being the same team during the Laver Cup.

"Notice how he peaked only when coachcaraz was in his box #nooticing," the fan joked.

Another fan commented how Tsitsipas' one-handed backhand was ineffective on faster courts with a lower bounce and also mentioned that he would make the error eventually on his backhand.

"The Tsitsi BH on fast/low bouncing courts is unbelievably cooked lol All you need to do is to hit 1-2 balls there and he inevitably makes an error Good win for Michelsen though," the fan commented.

Here are some other reactions from the fans.

"(Stefanos Tsitsipas) crashing out on R1 is somehow not surprising anymore," a fan felt.

"Clownstipas being in ATP finals is so embarrassing for the sport, he is so terrible it’s not even funny," a fan said.

"Time he was supposed to practice bro was busy playing drums," a fan joked, alluding to the video of the Greek and Holger Rune playing Japan's traditional Taiko drums.

Some fans pointed out how Tsitsipas seemed to be struggling with health during the match.

"He looked really sick from the heat. I suspect he would have lost anyway but it would certainly have been closer if he made first serves in set 3. Errors were thick and fast on the bh side, as is tradition," a fan opined.

"Fatigue/heat took over from the second set. Hard to fly 15+ hours from an event that probably involved a lot of champagne lol. Hope he didn’t get sick from zverev. The MTO was worrying. Will reserve judgment of post LC form for the next tournament," a fan mentioned.

"(Stefanos Tsitsipas) almost fainted. The Doctor was called. Tsitsipas is too classy (just like Federer) & decided to finish the match though he could barely move. Should have retired," a fan said.

Alex Michelsen will either play Christopher O'Connell or Tomas Etcheverry in the second round.

"I'm observing Carlos Alcaraz... I really want to follow his footsteps"- Stefanos Tsitsipas after the 2024 Laver Cup

Stefanos Tsitsipas with rest of the Team Europe (Source: Getty)

Though a fan might have joked how Stefanos Tsitsipas peaked when Carlos Alcaraz was in his box, the Greek, ahead of the Japan Open, had himself admitted that he observes the way the Spaniard plays. He added that Alcaraz was the only high-tier player he was close to.

Tsitsipas also hailed Alcaraz as one of the best players at the moment. It is also worth noting that the World No. 12 has failed to defeat the Spaniard in six meetings.

"I'm observing Carlos Alcaraz; it's like seeing him from that angle is so different to just watching him on TV or any other type of competition. I don't really get to get so close and intimate with another high-tier player as him. He's currently one of the best players in the world," Stefanos Tsitsipas said.

Tsitsipas also said that he wanted to try and incorporate World No. 3's tricks of the trades into his game.

"I really want to follow his footsteps, and to get to see him play live and see what kind of patterns, behaviors, and body language he shows on court is definitely something that I try to copy and bring into my own game," he added.

While Stefanos Tsitispas might have crashed out of the Japan Open, Alcaraz will kick off his campaign at the China Open against Giovanni Mpteshi Perricard.