Stefanos Tsitsipas has divulged that he was addicted to improving and reaching the top in tennis earlier in his career and feels he had to concede something in the process.
The Greek #1 explained that while “it’s definitely something I think about a lot”, “yet it is not the “everything” as he highlighted the importance of finding the right balance in his life. The ATP #5 seed came through his first 10 matches of the season and ended as a runner-up in the Australian Open in January where he lost to Novak Djokovic in straight sets. He has looked rusty since then and displayed a disappointing run in the succeeding events.
After clinching his first ATP title in 14 months with a final victory over Aussie De Minaur in an ATP 250-level tourney in Los Cabos earlier in August, Tsitsipas managed to record just three wins across three tournaments and a Davis Cup tie.
The 2-time finalist at Melbourne Park lost his R1 match at Canadian Open and his R2 fixture at Cincinnati Open before eventually upset by Swiss qualifier Dominik Stricker in the R2 of the US Open. Tsitsipas after registering a win against Luka Klein in the Davis Cup Group stage, lost to Slovakian world #113 Alex Molcan at home.
In an interview with Greek media Kathimerini, Tsitsipas talked about his urge to reach the top of the sport and how that change goal impacted his career early on.
“It’s definitely something I think about a lot, but it’s not everything. I was addicted to it when I was young – and it deprived me of something,” admitted the world No 5.
“That doesn’t mean I’m happy with what I’ve achieved. I want to improve as a player. But the key for me is balance, between personal life, building something with someone, and moving forward in your career, with the help of that person.”
The 25-year-old also assessed the shift in his status that evolved from begin in a class of the brightest ATP prospects.
“There was a gap, roughly between 2018-20, before [Carlos] Alcaraz, [Jannik] Sinner and [Holger] Rune. Then, all the lights were on me, [Alexander] Zverev, Dominic Thiem. Now the scene has changed. We’re not so young anymore,” assessed Tsitsipas.
“[Young players] have tremendous energy and thirst and zero fear. They play freely, they don’t think about anything,”
Tsitsipas also addressed he challenges that come with touring as a professional tennis star and the toll travel can have on athletes.
“The fact that I sleep in a different bed almost every seven days. New city, new hotel, having to overcome jet lag, start training before the tournament. Doing this 32-34 weeks a year takes a big toll on the body and the mind,” said the 25-year-old.