Tsitsipas eliminated by Michelsen at the Australian Open

Stefanos Tsitsipas left Melbourne earlier than expected. He lost to Alex Michelsen 7-5, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4.

After a disappointing 2024 season, the Greek was eliminated in the first round of the Australian Open.

He explained in a press conference: "It was a tough match in the first round.

I knew I was up against a very serious opponent, because I'd played against him before and lost.

I knew that things don't suddenly change. He beat me for a reason in our previous meeting.

I knew I had to be at my best to try and win this match.

I had a very slow start. That led to some frustration and a lack of confidence in the way I approached my game.

I was mentally fresher then, and I felt hungrier than I do now.

One of the things that struck me at the time was that I wanted to make tennis my life and get my career off to a good start.

It's different from what it is today.

I've settled in quite well over the last two years, I've seen the game, I've seen all the variations of tennis on the circuit.

I've experienced what it's like to be on the ATP circuit.

I feel like there was a different energy back then, a different dynamic."

Michelsen will face James McCabe in the second round.