Tsitsipas lost to Alex Michelsen in the first round of the Australian Open, before suffering shock defeats at the hands of Mattia Bellucci in Rotterdam and Hamad Medjedovic in Qatar.

Traveling to the UAE for the Dubai Tennis Championships, the world number 11 made a major equipment change he hoped would turn his fortunes around.

A new racket worked wonders immediately, as he beat Lorenzo Sonego, before Tsitsipas took down Karen Khachanov to reach the quarter-finals.

Wins over Matteo Berrettini and Tallon Griekspoor followed as the 26-year-old booked his spot in a third Dubai final.

Before his 12th ATP 500 final, Tsitsipas revealed what led him to make the change that worked so well this week.

Stefanos Tsitsipas says it would’ve been ‘foolish’ not to make racket change after poor start to 2025

Speaking to the media after his semi-final win over Griekspoor, Tsitsipas was asked what the racket change had brought to his game.

“Comfort, that is one thing that it brings to my game, that is something that I was trying to add to my game, and I’ve been receiving some of that extra help,” he said.

“You know, I’ve spoken about how balls and courts have changed over the last couple of years and that’s just me trying to adapt to that, that’s all.

“It was kind of a no-brainer, especially when you see the way things respond, and the way you remember things being, for years back.

“It’s foolish of me not to try and make the change because it’s too obvious that it doesn’t really benefit me or help me.”

The former two-time Major finalist then explained how the change has been ‘refreshing’ as he rediscovers his form in Dubai.

“These changes sometimes are necessary because you don’t want to be stuck in the same pattern over and over again,” said Tsitsipas.

“I feel like it’s something refreshing and a good addition so far, it definitely brings that refreshing feeling and adds a little bit of life and enthusiasm to my every day, going to work in a way.”

Tsitsipas will now prepare to take on Felix Auger-Aliassime in the final, as the Canadian advanced in three sets against Quentin Halys earlier on Friday.

• Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Tallon Griekspoor, 6-4, 6-4
• Felix Auger-Aliassime beat Quentin Halys, 5-7, 6-4, 6-3

The pair have faced off on nine previous occasions, as the Greek leads the head-to-head, 6-3, having won their most recent encounter at the Paris Masters two years ago.

He’ll look to extend his advantage and add another title to his collection, having made the same change one top WTA star made ahead of the biggest win of her career earlier this year.

Madison Keys won the 2025 Australian Open, shocking the world in an impressive run that saw her beat the likes of Elena Rybakina, Iga Swiatek, and Aryna Sabalenka.

In doing so she brought home her first Major title at 29 years of age, something she may not have been able to do without making a big change during the off-season.

Her coach and husband Bjorn Fratangelo recently revealed Keys changed her racket ahead of the 2025 season, in a move that proved effective immediately.

“The crazy one was the racket change, everyone thought I was insane,” he said.

“She [Keys] plays her whole career with a certain frame, just like rip the band-aid off.

“I changed rackets in my career but I wish it would have given me half the impact switching frames gave her, it opened up a whole new world.

“I was texting in the middle of December and I was like I think I have just figured out… I went from how do I keep her in the top 20 to I think she can win a Slam, I believe this again now.”

Stefanos Tsitsipas’ backhand rating during his win over Tallon Griekspoor

As one of the few players on tour still competing with a one-handed backhand, the shot has often been attributed to Tsitsipas’ successes or failures in big moments.

It was at its brilliant best against Griekspoor, scoring a mouth-watering 9.8 rating, which outscores the ATP Tour average of 7.1, by 2.7.

The Greek number one will no doubt hope his backhand continues to perform with his new racket, although he’ll need to keep his mindset right, something he was more than aware of in his most recent social media post.

“The greatest battles are fought within,” he said on X.

“Win those, and you win everything.”

Tsitsipas will take on Auger-Aliassime in the final of the Dubai Tennis Championships on Saturday, March 1.