Stefanos Tsitsipas building grass-court momentum: "It's a new start here at Wimbledon"

WATCH: Stefanos Tsitsipas won his first grass-court title with a victory over Roberto Bautista Agut in the 2022 Mallorca final

While his game seems built for the grass courts, Stefanos Tsitsipas has had a tough start to his career at Wimbledon, falling in the first round three of the four times he's played the event.

But this year he's coming fresh off capturing his first grass-court title in Mallorca a few weeks ago, and he is ready to build on that momentum at SW19. He's past the first-round hurdle for the first time since 2018 with a 7-6(1), 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 win over qualifier Alexander Ritschard, thanks to a new shift in mentality.

"For me, it's a new start here at Wimbledon," he told press before the tournament began. "I see myself a little bit different in terms of how I perceive this surface in particular.

"The thing that I hope for this year is just get past the first round, and see where that leads.”

A year ago, the Greek exited against Frances Tiafoe in straight sets in the first round at Wimbledon, and now acknowledges he didn't adjust his game.

“Last year was difficult for me. I didn't play a single match before Wimbledon, on grass,” Tsitsipas said. “I was trying to play on grass like I did on clay, which was a huge mistake. Technique-wise, tactic-wise, it all fell apart.

"Looking back last year, I watched a few videos. You want to analyze as much as possible, get to see your weak points. None of it made sense. I could also tell that from the practice sessions that I had, the friendly matches that I did before, everything seemed to be a bit off."

The 23-year-old has won nine other titles on the clay and hard courts.

But his one-handed backhand and attacking game suggests he can succeed on grass, too.

“Absolutely, I think I can,” he said. “I think my tennis is suited for that. I'm a person that likes to work hard. So I see no reason not to get there because I'm capable with my tennis, I'm capable with my abilities as a tennis player. I absolutely think that I can get there one day.”

Tsitsipas faces No. 76 Jordan Thompson in the second round. His best Wimbledon result is a fourth-round finish in 2018.