I created a massive chart of all "very good" players, with their results for the entire Open Era (right now the chart includes about 140 players, and I'm gradually adding more....but we're down to the Kevin Andersons and Tom Gormans of the world). I'll probably share it--or parts of it!--at some point. But it gives a nice visual reference to look at years and compare players. Anyhow, Tsitsipas is sort of in an unusual bracket of players. He's better than garden variety second tier types like Berdych/Tsonga, but not quite as good as "near greats" like Zverev and Okker.
Among Slamless players, he's kind of similar to Davydenko--in terms of level of accomplishment. I sort of see Davydenko as being "second tier+" - maybe like Ferrer, but with less longevity. Nalbandian is another comp, though Tsitsipas has been a bit more consistent at Slams.
Like Zverev, Tsitsipas has the talent to win a Slam and may go down as one of the better players not to - assuming he never does. But unlike Zverev, I'm not sure he'll stick around indefinitely. He has a vibe of giving up - or at least, he'll give up eventually. I can see Zverev plugging along like Tsonga and Berdych into his 30s, hoping to do an Ivanisevic. But I can see Tsitsipas losing focus in the next few years, and being done before his 30th birthday. Of course I kind of hope that both sneak a Slam out. Not a fan of either, but I also kind of feel bad for them.
On the other hand, as a stat nerd, I sort of like the weirdness of especially Zverev's career. He is quite clearly the best player never to win a Slam, and with each passing year it becomes not particularly close. Okker and Ferrer are similarly accomplished, but neither ever had the type of "almost great" season that Zverev had in 2021.
