Stefanos Tsitsipas, Ozeki

Stefanos Tsitispas

Stefanos Tsitsipas became the 34th male Ozeki (=Champion) of the Open Era last night by reaching the semi-finals of the 2021 French Open. Together with reaching the semifinals at the two preceding grand slam tournaments - the 2021 Australian Open and the 2020 French Open (that were held in the fall after the Covid19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the traditional spring date) - this suffices to clear the ‘big hurdle’ (the meaning of ‘Ozeki’ in Japanese). 

In his quarterfinal, Tsitsipas defeated Danil Medvedev, who had been on an Ozeki run himself. Medvedev now needs to reach the semifinals at Wimbledon to make it to the second-highest Sanyaku (champion level) rank. This was only the second victory of Tsitispas over Medvedev in eight matches on the ATP tour. In the semifinals Tsitsipas will meet co-Ozeki Alexander Zverev, who managed to hold rank.  

Dominik Thiem by contrast, will be demoted from Ozeki to Sekiwake (=Junior Champion I) after failing for the second time in a row to reach a grand slam quarterfinal. In the ladies' game, Ashleigh Barty will also be demoted to Sekiwake.

The Ozeki and all other Sanyaku career lists will be updated once the tournament is completed.