Stefanos Tsitsipas made a bold revelation about his long-term ambitions in tennis and explained how he has a completely different view of life and his career.
Tsitsipas admits being 'addicted' to reaching the top of men's tennis came at the expense of 'depriving' him of something to the extent where it became a hindrance. The Greek has learned not to obsess over it and made it his aim to strike a balance between his personal and professional life.
Tsitsipas spoke at length to the Greek publication Kathimerini, where he discussed his intention to 'build' on his career with the help of a close person, presumably his girlfriend Paula Badosa. Tsitsipas has never been happier in his private life since he began dating the Spanish WTA player.
"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. 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."
Tsitsipas also talked about the young prospects of men's tennis, and how they have caught up so fast with his generation of players. He explains how the limelight shone on the likes of Alexander Zverev, Dominic Thiem, and himself before it veered off to the current Next Gen on the ATP Tour.
"There was a gap, roughly between 2018-20, before Alcaraz, Sinner and Rune. Then, all the lights were on me, Zverev, Dominic Thiem. Now the scene has changed. We're not so young anymore. (Young players) have tremendous energy and thirst and zero fear. They play freely, they don't think about anything."
The 25-year-old also weighed in on the tough prerequisites that tennis players have to fulfill all year long. Tsitsipas admits traveling for 34 weeks takes a huge toll on the players both physically and mentally.
"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."
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