A very deep dive into Tsitsipas backhand woes

[stroke]

From what I have read, Gigante is using some version of the Head Prestige MP, not really an unusual racquet by male pro standards. It is kind of a classic flexible low powered stick(certainly compared to the Pure Drives and Pure Aeros. Not really much different from what Andy Murray used to use. Another very tough loss for Stef, who certainly to me competed well, stayed in the fight, and was very gracious in the post match handshake and interaction with Gigante. The main culprit in his loss to me was he had 31 winners and 49 errors to Gigante's 40 winners and 46 errors. Sidenote, Stef evidently drops out of the top 20 with that loss. He no doubt has a world class AI type tennis physique and is a phenomenal athlete(as is FAA). But no points for beauty out there.

[don_budge]

From tennisnerd: Matteo Gigante’s tennis racquet


"Matteo Gigante’s racquet is a bit of a mystery, even to racquet nerds. It looks like a larger Prestige with a 16/19 pattern, which makes me think it is the HEAD Prestige MP L mold. It could be the one with the PT57A layup, which Murray and other ATP players tried for a while.

The HEAD Prestige MP L is an interesting frame, which delivers a plush and arm-friendly feel, while producing good spin thanks to the open 16/19 pattern. The stability is a little lacking on off-center shots in stock form, but you can customize to play with more stability.

I don’t know Gigante’s racquet specs, so if you do, please let us know in the comments."

It looked larger to me. If that is the case it could be a trend in the making. Even bigger racquets. Gigante ranked 167 upsets a rather lethargic and defensive Stefanos Tsitsipas. Daddy-O in the corner for this bumbling loss. The culprit...obviously losing serve early on in both the third and fourth sets. As the serve goes...so goes the rest of the game. Tsitsipas needs to get his act together. His head is not in the game. A real basket case at this point in time. The serve was just ineffective. The technique is really herky jerky. No semblance of a tactical idea. Opponent is two handed lefty. In the deuce court you begin by establishing the wide slider combined with the flat down the middle. Add court...wide kick followed by shots to exploit the open court on the backhand. Tsitsipas showed me nothing in terms of a mental mind set. Almost just...blah, blah, blah. I just want to get down with the honey. Too many pathetic gestures and not enough grinding. A terrible state of affairs from a once promising up and comer. Deep dive backhand? I suggest a deep dive sports psychologist and a competent one handed coach. Which of course are non-existent these days.

[jimlosaltos]

On a more amusing note: Even Carlos Alcaraz will resort to a one-handed backhand when he needs one.
Around the net post, one handed pass

https://x.com/TheTennisLetter/status/1927731506983711129

[jimlosaltos]

Stefanos Tsitsipas just hired Goran Ivanisevic as coach for grass-court season