Tennis news – Stefanos Tsitsipas determined to fulfill doubles ‘dream’ with brother Petros in 2021

Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed his need to play “as a lot doubles as potential” along with his brother Petros in 2021.

The world No 6 teamed up along with his 20-year-old brother on the Australian Open and they’re set to play collectively once more this week in Rotterdam as they face final week’s Singapore Tennis Open winners Joran Vliegen and Sander Gille within the first spherical.

Not lots of the high singles gamers additionally characteristic usually in doubles, however Stefanos is eager to construct a partnership along with his brother, who’s ranked 967 on the earth in singles.

“I needed to start out the brand new yr in probably the most contemporary and dynamic means,” mentioned Stefanos forward of his Rotterdam opener in opposition to Egor Gerasimov on Tuesday.

“I need to take the chance to play with him in 250 and 500 occasions, a Grand Slam, as we did. It was my finest reminiscence of my keep in Australia.

“I’m primarily specializing in my singles profession, however I additionally need to assist my brother and his performances. I might solely do it for my brother, and nobody else.

“I need to construct a crew with him, completely with him. I’m not planning on taking part in with anybody else.”

Kei Nishikori and Felix Auger-Aliassime are additionally taking part in doubles in Rotterdam, whereas world No 8 Andrey Rublev has teamed up with fellow Russian Karen Khachanov.

Tstispas’ match in opposition to Gerasimov, who beat Andy Murray in Montpellier final week, shall be his first since shedding within the semi-finals of the Australian Open to Daniil Medvedev.

“I didn’t actually have a aim on the Australian Open,” mentioned Tsitsipas. “I needed to win the event like the opposite 127 gamers, however I used to be taking it step-by-step and happening a journey.

“Each match I received, I felt higher than the subsequent day. It was nice taking part in a semi-final, however I must unlock a couple of issues and take the subsequent step to succeed in a Grand Slam ultimate.”

Tsitsipas has now made the semi-finals of three Grand Slams after additionally reaching the final 4 on the Australian Open in 2019 and the French Open final yr.

He says he appears like he has extra “expertise” now in comparison with his first run to the semi-finals in Melbourne, when he misplaced to Rafael Nadal in straight units.

“I felt two totally different feelings. Having the semi-final run the primary time felt fairly particular. It wasn’t one thing that I’d achieved earlier than. I did make the second week of a Grand Slam the yr earlier than at Wimbledon, however I nonetheless felt a great distance away from being constant and making [it to] the semi-finals.

“I had expertise this time, and I knew what steps I needed to take to have the ability to attain that aim once more.”

Tsitsipas is the second seed on the Rotterdam Open behind Medvedev, who opens in opposition to Dusan Lajovic on Wednesday and can transfer as much as No 2 on the earth if he reaches the ultimate.