Rune and Alcaraz, Tsitsipas' 'kryptonite'

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As much as Stefanos Tsitsipas arrived at Indian Wells 2025 with a different air, whether due to his title in Doha or the racket change that gave him "more freedom," Holger Rune surprised everyone by playing a very complete match from start to finish and defeating the Greek by 6-4 and 6-4. But this victory was not a matter of chance because it seems the Dane has figured him out, having beaten Tsitsipas in all four matches they played. The same goes for Carlos Alcaraz, whom he has not been able to defeat in six encounters. Both serve as his 'kryptonite' in the circuit.

If this material could weaken Superman, Tsitsipas faces a similar scenario when up against these two 21-year-old players because, despite coming close to defeating both, he has never managed to prevail. With the Spaniard, he has had more opportunities, but since that first meeting at the 2021 US Open where Alcaraz introduced himself to the world, it has been all losses, increasingly emphatic.

From the US Open 2021 to Roland Garros 2024, all defeats against Alcaraz

Perhaps the most balanced duel was in New York, where Alcaraz claimed victory after five sets (6-3, 4-6, 7-6, 0-6, 7-6) filled with fluctuations, showcasing Alcaraz's ability to inflict damage. Since then, it has been a string of losses for Tsitsipas: Miami (2022), Barcelona Open (2022 and 2023), and Roland Garros (2023 and 2024).

With Holger Rune, it's more of the same. He also fell in their first Grand Slam clash, this time at Roland Garros 2022. Similar to his experience with Alcaraz, this was the most closely contested match (7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4). Subsequent victories followed in the Stockholm final in 2022, at the ATP Finals in 2023, although Tsitsipas retired after three games, and in their latest encounter at Indian Wells.

His one-handed backhand, the vulnerability opponents target

The inability to overcome the Dane and the Spaniard share a common denominator: the relentless attacks on Tsitsipas' one-handed backhand. Coupled with the heavy spin both opponents put on the ball and the high pace they set from the get-go, they capitalize on the Greek's weakness. "I know Stefanos well, so I understand how his ball feels," Rune stated after defeating him for the fourth consecutive time. "He plays great tennis. But tactically, I know what needs to be done in our match," Alcaraz revealed before his sixth consecutive victory over Tsitsipas.

Faced with this situation, Tsitsipas has no choice but to acknowledge the Spaniard's game: “His shots are deeper, he knows he can outlast me by being patient, constructing points, and I can't find a way to counter his game,” he lamented after his latest loss at Roland Garros. However, he did send a message that seems to have found a recipient in Indian Wells: "I've never felt like this on the court, perhaps only one or two players have been able to do to me what Carlos does." And it seems Rune is one of them.
 

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Rune y Alcaraz, la "kriptonita" de Tsitsipas