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In 2018, Stefanos Tsitsipas was hailed as the way forward for males’s tennis when, at 20, he received the ATP’s Subsequent Gen Finals for gamers 21 and underneath. Final yr, the primary time he certified, Tsitsipas received the ATP Finals, turning into the youngest champion since Lleyton Hewitt at 20 in 2001.
On this pandemic-shortened season, Tsitsipas received a title in Marseille, reached the finals in Dubai and Hamburg, and took Novak Djokovic to 5 units in a semifinal loss on the French Open. He reached a career-high No. 5 rating in August and has amassed greater than $12 million in profession prize cash.
So why does he wish to commerce all of it in for a profession in journalism?
The next dialog has been edited and condensed.
Many athletes barely tolerate journalists. You really wish to be one. Why?
I had a Fb web page after I was 11, 12 years outdated the place I’d write in matches and scores. I actually favored it. I believe I took this gene from my mom [the former WTA tour player Julia Apostoli]. She was additionally a sports activities journalist working in tennis. I discovered from her.
On the French Open, Iga Swiatek turned the primary Pole to win a significant. What wouldn’t it imply to you to turn into the primary Greek to win a significant?
It will be loopy. I’d love each single minute of it. However I’d be extra pleased doing it for my nation than doing it for myself.
You’ve now reached the semis on the Australian and French. Is there one main you need greater than the others?
Wimbledon is a event that’s totally different from the others, however Roland Garros is huge in significance as effectively. It’s clay, you’ve set to work extra for it. However don’t have a look at [Rafael] Nadal; he simply makes it look simple.
You have got wins over Djokovic, Nadal, Dominic Thiem, Alexander Zverev. Who’s the most effective?
I believe Nadal. He’s so troublesome, particularly on clay. However Djokovic is such a very good returner. It’s a troublesome contest between these two.
Your one-handed, down-the-line backhand is on par with Roger Federer’s. Thiem, Grigor Dimitrov and Denis Shapovalov are additionally one-handers. Are one-handed backhands making a comeback?
I actually don’t know. I’m at the moment mentoring a Japanese child who’s like 6 years outdated, and I’m encouraging him to play a single-handed backhand. However his father instructed me that it’s uncommon to play single-handed backhands in Japan. I simply suppose it’s a greater shot over all and extra thrilling to look at.
Final yr in the course of the ATP Finals, London’s O2 area was full of followers screaming encouragement for you. This yr, the event will likely be performed with out followers. How will you cope with the cavernous really feel?
I’m simply going to attempt to recreate it in my thoughts. I’ll simply consider the atmosphere, the sound and every thing, all of the chaos occurring in my thoughts.
You latterly posted in regards to the relationship along with your youthful sister and two brothers. What’s it prefer to be in your loved ones?
It occurs that my complete household performs tennis. Once I was youthful, I’d spend numerous hours with my brother Petros dreaming about how superior it will be to play a Grand Slam doubles last collectively or face one another on a full-packed, late-night match in Arthur Ashe Stadium [in New York City].
You’re a fairly deep thinker. What do you have got in widespread with the good Greek philosophers?
They’re a giant inspiration. I’m simply so pleased to be Greek, play for the blue and white flag, and produce a lot pleasure to the folks at house. The Greek persons are actually beginning to get into tennis.
Now that you just’ve already received the ATP Finals, are you feeling kind of strain this yr?
Final yr, I wasn’t enjoying to win the trophy. Most individuals don’t perceive that. I used to be simply considering that if I handle to win this match, will probably be much better than if I don’t carry out effectively. So, I got here on courtroom and performed my finest, most-relaxed tennis. This yr, identical factor, identical mind-set. Why not?
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