“It feels like I’m home”: Tsitsipas happy, healthy and ready to win down under
Stefanos Tsitsipas shares what it is about Australia that gets the best level from him, and how his back injury is progressing
(Chryslene Caillaud/Panoramic)
It’s no secret Stefanos Tsitsipas is fond of Australia. The Greek has a great record playing down under, and thrives in front of the raucous Greek community that come out to support him each year.
With semi-final or deeper performances in four of the last five Australian Opens, the world No 6 is happy to be back in the country he calls home.
“It’s so refreshing coming back here. I can’t complain about anything, things are so great in Australia every year. It’s called the Happy Slam for a reason,” Tsitsipas said in a recent interview with Spiro Christopoulos on 2GB.
“We all need a second home away from home, and for me, Australia is the place.”
Australia’s Greek community brings out the best in Tsitsipas
With almost half a million Australians self-identifying as having Greek ancestry, it’s no surprise that Tsitsipas feels at home.
“You know, we’ve got so many Greeks here, it feels like I’m home,” said Tsitsipas.
“The very first year I came in 2016, I felt so welcomed, so immersed in the traditional society of the Greeks here, which is a very proud, strong and bold connection the people share. It makes me very proud with regards to where I come from.
“I really feel lucky to be Greek when I’m in Australia. There’s a lot of strong emotions going through me. When I’m out on the court, I don’t just feel like I’m playing for myself. I feel like I’m representing my people out there and that gives me extra courage and strength.”
In 2023, the connection Tsitsipas shared with the Australian crowd was evident in his on-court results. For the first time at the Australian Open, and only the second time in a Grand Slam, Tsitsipas went all the way to the final.
If it wasn’t for a supreme Novak Djokovic who stopped the Greek in straight sets, Tsitsipas could have had even more reason to love Australia with a maiden Grand Slam title.
Tsitsipas focused on United Cup glory
Tsitsipas also won all four of his United Cup singles matches in Australia last year, as well three doubles matches. The effort propelled Greece to the semi-finals, where they fell short against Italy.
This year, Tsitsipas is motivated to take his team one step further and lift the trophy.
“I see no reason [why Greece wouldn’t win],” the 25-year-old declared. “Our performance last year was very long, courageous and strong performance, despite the loss in the semi-finals.”
“I felt an extreme connection to the team, because we were all on a mission. We were never backing down, we were all in. It turned out to be a very good experience.
“This year we’re hoping for redemption. We’re hoping for a better result. I think we have the abilities as a team to pull it off. It just requires patience and good dedication to get through.”
Currently, Greece are needing to defeat Canada in Wednesday’s play at the United Cup if they are to make the quarter-finals.
Recovery from injury heading in the right direction
Tsitsipas’ end to the 2023 season was marred by struggles with injury, which saw the Greek withdraw from the Nitto ATP Finals after completing only one match.
Earlier this week, doubts were rife over how his recovery was tracking, given that Tsitsipas did not contest Greece’s singles match against Chile. However, the 25-year-old has assured fans his recovery is going well, and he’ll be at his best for the Australian Open.
“I have healed,” said Tsitsipas. “Things are looking good for me. I was a little bit unsure a few weeks ago if I’m going to be ready, but I’m pretty confident that I’m headed towards the right direction which is a good thing.”
“This swing, this part of the year means a lot to me, and I really want to be as healthy as possible. I’ve had a few ups and downs. It’s normal for any professional athlete, but it’s important to keep a positive mind and not let yourself drown in all of this.
“I did all the right things, I did the right structure to get back in shape, and I’m committed to myself every day.”
While Tsitsipas expects to be out on the Melbourne courts in less than a fortnight, he does have one request of Australia’s tennis fans. It’s not just him that fans should be cheering for: his Spanish girlfriend, Paula Badosa, needs some love too.
“I would like to see Greek people support her. There isn’t so much of a Spanish community in Australia, so if you guys see Paula, make sure you support her and give her the same love and encouragement you’ve been giving me.”
