Tsitsipas Targets 2027 Grand Slam Seeding After Injury Recovery

Stefanos Tsitsipas is increasing his tournament schedule during the final stretch of the 2026 tennis season as he seeks a stronger ranking and better seeding at the 2027 Grand Slams. The Greek player, ranked No. 43 and seeded No. 7 at the Almaty ATP 250 in Kazakhstan, says his physical condition has improved enough to support a return to the sport's upper ranks.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday after signing autographs for fans, Tsitsipas said the health problems that affected his performance and confidence last year were no longer limiting his ability to compete. He believes he can now play consistently without the same physical concerns.

"Last year, I didn’t have a healthy body, and it affected my ranking and my confidence," Tsitsipas said. "But now suddenly I can have long runs without being affected by it, so that is a big relief for me. I know I can get back to the top.

I genuinely believe that. If I want to play every single week, now I know I can without any concerns."

The improved condition has prompted Tsitsipas to enter more tournaments than he would typically play during the autumn. He is aiming to collect additional ranking points before the season ends, with Grand Slam seeding a central objective.

"Normally, I wouldn’t be playing that many tournaments, but I’m trying to accumulate as many points as possible at the end of the season," he said. "I want to close the season strongly in order to be seeded at the Grand Slams and avoid big names in the early rounds of the big tournaments. I feel next season will be more about me being hunted than hunting, like this year when I was genuinely hunting to get back to where I belong."

Tsitsipas has shown signs of recovery during the second half of 2026 and won the Gstaad title earlier in the season. He credited Thomas Perrin, who joined his coaching team from the Mouratoglou Academy, with helping create a calmer working environment.

"Thomas brings calmness to the team, and that’s what I need," Tsitsipas said. "I need someone who understands me and my decision-making process. He’s a very collaborative person, and he’s open-minded and sees things exactly how I see them."

Tsitsipas also explained why he prefers to keep his father outside his coaching arrangements, saying the separation has improved their personal relationship. He additionally identified Patrick Mouratoglou as an important contributor to his wider team.

"I love my father as a father, and I want to keep the coaching part out of my relationship with him because now it has never been better."

Tsitsipas also highlighted the role of the French coach in his support structure.

"Patrick Mouratoglou is a big asset that is also part of the whole Tsitsipas team."

The Greek player previously reached the final of the Almaty event in 2022, when the tournament was held in Astana. He lost to Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-4 in that final.

Tsitsipas is scheduled to open his current campaign against American player Aleksandar Kovacevic. The winner will meet Kazakh wildcard Mikhail Kukushkin in the second round.