After winning the Dubai title in February – his first on a hard court since 2025, Stefanos Tsitsipas took to social media to express his thoughts. “They said my tennis was sinking so I got myself a boat,” he wrote. 

A refreshingly eclectic personality, Tsitsipas likes to stay outside of the box on social media, sending out little seeds of thought that can often make people scratch their head and think. 

But this time the 26-year-old was dead serious. 

After several months of struggles, and a stint outside of the Top 10, he was pleased to stop treading water and get his head back in the clouds. 

“Doesn't take much to understand that,” Tsitsipas said when asked about his words. “The last few months weren't amazing for me. I didn't have any big results or victories that I could say that I'm headed towards a good direction with my game. So I feel like that caption sort of was a summary of the last few months.” 

Tstisipas’ words could also be a reference to a recent change to his most important piece of equipment. His new racquet – and strings – representing the boat. 

Before his title run in Dubai, Tsitsipas switched to a new, blacked-out frame whose brand he is not at liberty to name. Internet sleuths can help you in that regard, but what is really important to know is how the racquet is helping Tsitsipas rediscover his mojo. 

He has reeled off seven consecutive wins and says that he has experienced a major revival of his spin and pace as a result of the new technology in his hands. 

“A lot is going on with my racquet,” he told Tennis Channel on Sunday with a laugh. “Things that I can also not disclose yet.” 

He may not be willing to talk about a specific brand and model, but Tsitsipas makes the perfect sales pitch for whatever racquet he is playing with now as he discusses what the mystery weapon is doing for his game. 

“I feel like there is a notch that I’ve added to my game in terms of speed, in terms of RPMs, in terms of power,” he says. “There is an upgrade to my tennis, which keeps adding to my confidence, because I feel like I can hit shots now that I couldn’t before. 

What shots exactly? 

“I feel like I can return without having to get the ball right in the middle of the racquet, so even if I miss by a little, I still get a very decent return. Knowing that I can hit harder, knowing that I can keep finding my spots the way I did before, but having more under it is definitely a very satisfying feeling.” 

The changes came about after a long period of frustration. Tsitsipas recognized that he was unable to express his power the way he had done earlier in his career, possibly due to the slowing down of courts and balls, or the relative uptick of the competition on tour. 

“I was trying to find ways to improve,” he said in his press conference on Sunday, after a 6-3, 6-3 win over Matteo Berrettini. “I feel like some of my opponents that I got to play were overpowering me and doing things much better than me when it came to playing bigger tennis. My entire career I've been known to be able to play big tennis but it wasn't big enough, and I felt like I had to do something about it.”

Tsitsipas has gone to a more open string pattern, which adds spin, but also power.

“There’s more room for error,” he said. “There’s definitely the aspect of adding more topspin to the ball easier, without having to muscle the shot as much. I feel like I can maybe go for a flatter shot easier, because the ball has natural shape to it. 

“This is definitely helping me out a lot and it keeps adding to my comfort zone, knowing that I can go both ways. I can go spin, and I can go flat – it forgives more.” 

Tsitsipas says he has changed strings as well. 

“I tried with the strings that I played all my life, but it wasn’t the same effect,” he said. “I feel like  [the new strings] gives it a whole new dimension.” 

Tsitsipas and his new stick will face No. 12-seeded Holger Rune in the round of 16 on Tuesday at Indian Wells.