World No.4 Stefanos Tsitsipas is enjoying his time on the ATP tour. The Greek tennis star won his maiden Masters 1000 title on clay in Monte Carlo, earlier in the year and also reached the finals of the 2021 French Open, before losing to World No.1 Novak Djokovic in five epic sets.
Although the 22-year-old got stunned in the opening round at the recently concluded Wimbledon Championships, Tsitsipas is confident about his chances of making history at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics.
Tsitsipas beat Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber in his opening match at Tokyo 2020 and in the process, became the first man from Greece to win an Olympic singles match since Augustos Zerlandis at the Paris Games in 1924.
“Stats are important,” the Greek said as per ITFtennis. “It’s a good thing to know that this happened. I’m a person that’s optimistic and I’m a person that wants more. It is an honour. It’s a big move for Greece. It’s a big move for this sport in Greece as well and there’s joy in doing that.”
Interestingly, he will take on Frances Tiafoe in the second round at the Tokyo games. It was the American who beat Tsitsipas at the Championships. However, Tsitsipas mentioned about him being better prepared to take on his American rival.
Tsitsipas ready for Tiafoe in Tokyo
“I’ve learned my lessons,” added the 22-year-old. “I try and move on better this time. He’s an opponent around my age group and we’re kind of building a rivalry. I’m going to have to raise my level this time.”
Currently, Tsitsipas and Tiafoe are tied at 1-1 on the ATP tour and it will be interesting to see which youngster take the advantage and marches on at the Tokyo games. For the year, Tsitsipas has won 15 matches on the hard court and has lost only three. Moreover, the Greek youngster loves playing on the hard courts and has already beaten legends Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on the surface. He has also won the ATP World Tour finals title in London.
