Matteo Gigante Stuns Tsitsipas at Roland Garros 2025: Who Is the World No. 167?

Paris, France – May 29, 2025

In a stunning upset at Roland Garros 2025, Italian qualifier Matteo Gigante, ranked No. 167 in the world, defeated former finalist and No. 20 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the second round on May 28, 2025, with a score of 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, 6-4. The three-hour, six-minute match on the Simonne Mathieu court captivated fans and marked Gigante’s first Top 20 win and his debut in the third round of a Grand Slam. As Italy celebrates another rising tennis star, we explore who Matteo Gigante is and how he achieved this historic victory.

Who Is Matteo Gigante?

Born on January 4, 2002, in Rome, Italy, Matteo Gigante is a 23-year-old professional tennis player standing at 1.80 meters and weighing 68 kg. A left-handed player with a versatile game, Gigante has been a promising figure on the ATP Challenger circuit but had limited Grand Slam experience prior to 2025. His only previous Major appearance was a first-round loss at the 2024 US Open. Ranked 167th in the ATP standings, Gigante entered Roland Garros through the qualifying rounds, securing three wins to reach the main draw. His journey in Paris included a dominant first-round victory over Benjamin Hassan (6-4, 6-2, 6-0) before his career-defining upset against Tsitsipas.

Gigante’s playing style is well-suited to clay, leveraging a heavy forehand and creative backhand angles to disrupt opponents. His resilience was evident in saving all eight break points in the fourth set against Tsitsipas, showcasing mental toughness and tactical maturity. Hailing from Rome, he draws inspiration from Italy’s rich tennis tradition, joining the likes of Jannik Sinner, Lorenzo Musetti, and Matteo Berrettini as part of the country’s new generation of talent.

The Upset Against Tsitsipas

The match against Tsitsipas, a three-time Monte Carlo champion and 2021 Roland Garros finalist, was a breakout moment for Gigante. He secured the first set 6-4 by breaking Tsitsipas in the seventh game, capitalizing on the Greek’s defensive lapses. Despite losing the second set 5-7, Gigante dominated the third set 6-2, winning 54% of points on Tsitsipas’ serve. In the fourth set, he saved multiple break points and sealed the victory with an ace, prompting a standing ovation from the Paris crowd. Tsitsipas, who admitted to playing “immature” tennis, praised Gigante’s composure, noting, “He handled the pressure moments very well. Played mature tennis.”

Gigante’s performance was the biggest upset on the men’s side at Roland Garros 2025, as highlighted by posts on X: “Matteo Gigante plays the match of his life to defeat former runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas… Tsitsipas will leave the top 25. Almost tough to believe…” (@josemorgado). Another user, @TheTennisLetter, celebrated, “Gigantic win for Gigante… Dream it. Believe it.”

Background and Career Highlights

• Early Career: Gigante turned pro in 2020 and has primarily competed on the ITF and Challenger circuits. His best result before Roland Garros was winning the 2025 Rome Challenger, followed by a second-round appearance at the Italian Open.
• Clay Court Prowess: Over the past year, Gigante has a 5-3 record on clay, winning 71.9% of his service games and converting 46% of break points. His clay-court game thrives on consistency and tactical variety, as seen in his ability to outmaneuver Tsitsipas.
• Grand Slam Milestone: As the first Roland Garros qualifier to defeat a former finalist since Eduardo Schwank beat Carlos Moya in 2008, Gigante’s victory marks a historic moment.
• Next Challenge: Gigante now faces No. 13 seed Ben Shelton in the third round, a formidable opponent known for his powerful serve. Despite the challenge, Gigante’s confidence is high: “It’s now been two weeks I’ve been staying here… and I’ll continue to stay here,” he quipped to the crowd, earning cheers.

Impact and Future Prospects

Gigante’s upset has drawn comparisons to Italy’s emerging tennis stars, with his performance signaling potential for a breakout season. His victory not only boosts his ranking but also secures him a global spotlight, with Roland Garros organizers noting a 10% increase in ticket sales for secondary courts like Simonne Mathieu, partly due to such thrilling matches. For Tsitsipas, the loss is a setback, dropping him to No. 25 in the ATP rankings and out of the Top 20 for the first time since August 2018, raising questions about his consistency after a lackluster 2025 clay season.

Gigante’s calm demeanor, as he reflected, “It’s real?” after the match, endeared him to fans, while his shout of “Allez la France” to the crowd showcased his charisma. As he prepares for Shelton, the tennis world is watching to see if this Roman underdog can extend his Parisian fairytale.

For highlights, check Roland Garros’ official X post (@rolandgarros) or visit www.rolandgarros.com for match recaps.