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Stefanos Tsitsipas is on a quest to discover the elusive factor that separates an exceptional tennis player from a grand slam champion. He believes it involves a harmonious balance of physical, mental, and spiritual elements, coming together at the perfect moment. Despite reaching multiple semi-finals and finals, Tsitsipas has fallen short in two grand slam finals against Novak Djokovic at the French and Australian Open. He has also made it to three other semi-finals at these tournaments.
During the 2021 Paris tournament, he was able to win the first two sets. However, Djokovic’s fierce and intense gameplay ultimately caused him to lose. In the previous year, Tsitsipas had a chance to become the world’s top-ranked player if he had defeated Djokovic in the Australian Open final. Unfortunately, he lost in straight sets after two tie-breaks and the rest of his year was plagued with injuries, causing him to drop to seventh place in the rankings.
“I possess abilities and am proficient in hitting the ball,” Tsitsipas states modestly. “My physical endurance allows me to endure lengthy matches, so that challenge has already been overcome. Now, the key obstacle is unlocking my mental game in order to secure seven consecutive wins [and win a grand slam]. How can I defeat top-performing athletes consecutively? Not just one, but possibly three or four in a single tournament. Once I solve that puzzle, success will come effortlessly.”
Tsitsipas enthusiastically agrees when I inquire about his unwavering belief, despite the setbacks of 2023. “Absolutely,” he responds with a bright grin. “I’m a late bloomer.”
It’s a good joke which pops the balloon of expectation that has hung over Tsitsipas for years, ever since he was the world’s best junior player and then the leader of the heralded next generation of young superstars meant to replace Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Djokovic. That burden has now been assumed by Carlos Alcaraz, still only 20 and ranked second to Djokovic, and Jannik Sinner, 22, the world No 4.
“Carlos has achieved two major victories, one against Novak and the other against Casper Ruud,” states Tsitsipas. “I am patiently waiting for my opportunity. As a 25-year-old, I have plenty of time ahead of me. However, I am no longer the young player chasing after big wins with no fear. There are now younger players eager to flaunt their success and I need to prove that I am still a force to be reckoned with, just like Novak. My old car may not be flashy, but it still holds its charm as a vintage vehicle.”
Tsitsipas is speaking more seriously about the challenge of facing Djokovic, who is aiming to win his 25th grand slam title in Australia. Tsitsipas acknowledges that Djokovic is constantly improving and sees him as a stronger opponent than he was in 2020. He emphasizes the importance of being in top physical and mental shape when playing against Djokovic, as there is no room for error. Tsitsipas also notes that Djokovic’s game has become more strategic and simplified, making it difficult to find ways to counter him.
“His flexibility is mind-blowing, the way he can stretch and run, and also the precision of his shot-making. Not the tallest guy on the tour but he remains one of the toughest servers. Whenever we face Novak we know that this is a serious heist and most of the time it does not work out.”
When questioned about any potential lessons he has learned from his two wins against Djokovic out of 13 matchups, he responds in a more mysterious manner. “I have indeed been analyzing them extensively. We will have to wait and see.”
Tsitsipas has returned to Australia, feeling revitalized and excited to compete in his favorite tournament after a disappointing year. He acknowledges that it was a difficult period for him and it took a toll on his confidence. Despite a strong start to the year with a final appearance in Australia, a shoulder injury came out of nowhere and affected his performance. He admits that there were ups and downs throughout the year and he never intended to finish ranked at No 6. He has bigger aspirations and will not settle for anything less.
How did he handle his decline in physical fitness and performance? “I attempt to handle it on my own because the greatest strength comes from within. It takes wisdom, patience, and having the right support system. In my situation, that support comes from my family.”
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Tsitsipas’s incredible ascent from obscurity in Greek tennis was molded by his parents. His mother, Julia, was a Soviet Union tennis pro and his father, Apostolos, was a coach in Athens. “I gained a lot of knowledge from my mother because she was more involved in my early tennis development than my father. She had a deep love for me and wasn’t as focused on me becoming a professional player. She believed I could achieve great things in life.”
After realizing my talent, my father made the decision to sacrifice everything and devote himself entirely to my success. I am grateful because without his dedication and willingness to take risks, I would not be where I am today. He faced a lot of criticism for his choice to leave everything behind for me, but I am proud of our journey through the highs and lows, which ultimately led to our success.
During a time of severe financial crisis in Greece, Tsitsipas’ father made the decision to leave his stable job. According to Tsitsipas, this decision showcased his father’s strong character, as it occurred during one of the most difficult periods in Greek history. The family faced many challenges, especially in regards to the cost of tennis and the limitations on daily withdrawals from banks. Despite these struggles, Tsitsipas remained determined to succeed and support his parents.
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My mother’s twin sister and a close family friend provided financial assistance without expecting anything in return. Typically, people who borrow money are expected to pay back ten times the amount, but they only wanted what was best for me. They didn’t view me as an investment. Seeing my current success brings them immense happiness and joy. I recently saw my aunt and I care for her deeply.
Many have criticized Tsitsipas for keeping his father as his coach. Some experts believe that having a different coach would greatly benefit his chances of winning a major tournament. Last year, he briefly worked with Mark Philippoussis, who also made it to two grand slam finals but never won, before going back to his father as his only coach.
“I am more content with a smaller team,” he states. “I sometimes felt overwhelmed with Philippoussis, but now it is much better. This situation is ideal.” Tsitsipas appears genuinely pleased with his relationship with Spanish tennis player Paula Badosa, as they thrive in their home base of Dubai. “I truly believe that she is the perfect companion for me, and vice versa for her. We share many laughs and even made it to the finals of a mixed doubles event in Abu Dhabi last month. She has the same level of focus and dedication on the court as I do.”
Is it possible for them to participate in the mixed doubles tournament in Australia? “I am faced with a challenging decision as I would love to play with her. However, my focus is on singles and it’s crucial for me to conserve my energy for potential deep runs. I am already committed to playing doubles with my brother [Petros]. Therefore, competing in three events would be too strenuous.”
Tsitsipas and Nick Kyrgios have had a long-standing rivalry, but it has calmed down recently due to Kyrgios’ injury preventing him from playing in Australia. Tsitsipas acknowledges that Kyrgios has a different personality and he respects that, but he also believes that Kyrgios needs to control himself on the court. Despite their differences, Tsitsipas sees this rivalry as good for the sport. However, he does not appreciate when opponents try to disrupt him during a match and do not play fairly. He believes that Kyrgios understands this and as long as they can have a fair match without any antics, he is willing to move on from their past conflicts.
After their contentious 2022 Wimbledon match, Tsitsipas remarked last year about Kyrgios’ approach to tennis, which some interpreted as a racially charged attack. Tsitsipas is friends with Giannis Antetokounmpo, a current star player in the NBA. He now acknowledges that he made a mistake in describing the situation, stating, “I have a lot of respect for NBA athletes and I am a big fan of basketball.” He clarifies that what he meant was that Kyrgios’ trash-talking style is not typically seen in tennis, but rather in the NBA where players like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant often engage in it. Tsitsipas also notes that Kyrgios’ incorporation of basketball attire into his tennis style is not a problem. Overall, things are currently going well between the two players.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, also known as the “Greek Freak” in the NBA, continues to be a major source of inspiration for Tsitsipas. Tsitsipas admires Giannis for his skills, mindset, and work ethic, and sees him as a role model. He hopes to one day emulate Giannis and wishes they could communicate more frequently, but their busy schedules and different locations make it challenging. However, Tsitsipas knows that Giannis holds him in high regard and they have had meaningful discussions about the mentality required to reach one’s full potential. Tsitsipas appreciates Giannis’ humility, which is rare among top athletes with such a strong presence and personality. Despite his success, Giannis remains down-to-earth and relatable.
Tsitsipas also sounds like a pretty regular guy when talking about a wide range of subjects beyond tennis. He is interesting and engaging company, especially when he speaks passionately about his love of photography, his attempts to become more creative away from the grind of the tour and the possibilities of working in sustainability or in the arts once his career ends. But, with the Australian Open beginning on Sunday, we return one last time to his current tennis obsession.
When I inquire about whether Tsitsipas would feel unfulfilled without winning a grand slam, he leans back in his seat and grins. He responds, “I don’t even consider it. I am content with my life and pursuing my dream, so nothing would be a disappointment for me.”
