'I Hope My Kids One Day Get To Play With You': Tsitsipas' Love Letter To Tennis
ATP
Stefanos Tsitsipas instantly fell in love with tennis when he was introduced to the sport just three years after he was born, and he hopes his future kids will help to build and carry on his legacy.
Tsitsipas reflected on his love for the sport in a video on ATPTour.com. The Greek superstar credits his parents, Apostolos and Julia, for introducing him to the sport in 2001, and he recalls telling them to scrap off plans for any other sport as he would play and 'do' tennis for the rest of his life.
Tsitsipas recounts his first taste of ATP Tour-level tennis as a junior player back in 2017 in Rotterdam. He states that he was a 'free-spirited' player back then, without giving too much fuss about the consequences of his decision-making on the court.
Now 25, Tsitsipas admits defeat to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga six years ago transformed him into the player he is today - to become more reserved in his shot-making, a more mature, controlling tennis player. Since then, the ride has been littered with speedbumps, obstacles, and tough victories - a love-hate relationship, he says.
"What felt so special with you is that I felt being part of a playground, my own playground, in which there were no rules or limits. I fell in love with you when I was 8 years old and I won my first tennis tournament in Normandy, France."
"I remember waking up in the middle of the night, waking up my father and telling him: 'Sign me off every other sport - football, swimming, track and field, athletics; I just want to do tennis and that will be my sport for the rest of my life."
Tsitsipas has been to a Grand Slam final on two occasions, losing each time to Novak Djokovic, but he admits winning the Monte Carlo Masters two years ago as one of his most memorable moments of his career. It was a major breakthrough at the time for the Greek and in a place he regards as his second home.
Tsitsipas' tennis journey is far from over. At 25, his best years are certainly ahead of him. But even when he hangs up his racket, he hopes that his children will take up tennis as their profession and build on his legacy.
"One of my most memorable memories you have offered to me is my first Masters 1000 trophy in Monte Carlo, which to me feels like home a little bit. I used to attend the event when I was a kid and winning there brought back so many emotions, I felt so nostalgic."
"It's a feeling that you can't trade for anything. You taught me to live life as it goes, to never doubt myself, and to just keep on living, regardless of the outcome."
"I have been very committed and very devoted to the journey. Every single day, I feel grateful that I have chosen you. In the future, I hope we have a reciprocal love for each other. I hope my kids, one day, get to play with you, be part of you, and continue and carry over my legacy."
