Stefanos Tsitsipas is preparing to represent Team Europe for the fourth time at the Laver Cup since 2019.
Following a slow start of the season, Stefanos Tsitsipas picked up the pace during his clay-court campaign in Monte-Carlo.
The 12th seed at the time defeated Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals before a straight sets win in the final against Casper Ruud helped the Greek win his third Monte-Carlo Masters title.
After matching his best career performance at Wimbledon this year, Tsistipas made Greek history at the Olympics, becoming the first player to reach the last eight since tennis returned to the Games in 1988.
However, things have since taken a slightly sour, yet probably constructive turn. After an outburst at his father during his Montreal Open defeat to Kei Nishikori, Tsitsipas announced the end of his long-time coaching partnership with his father.
A shock US Open defeat to Thanasi Kokkinakis has since forced the Greek to turn his attention to the Laver Cup set to start on September 20th.
Stefanos Tsitsipas recalls legendary Laver Cup memories with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer
When Rafael Nadal announced his withdrawal from the US Open, he was originally set to play at the Laver Cup in Berlin, however on Thursday announced that he has pulled out of the event.
Roger Federer retired at the Laver Cup in 2022 playing his final match alongside Nadal in an entertaining doubles clash against Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe.
With Tstisipas having played on Team Europe with the legendary duo twice, he told the official Laver Cup site exactly what it was like to work with them.
“It brought me closer to my heroes. It brought me closer to their personalities and what they feel like in real life,” he said about his 2019 debut alongside Nadal and Federer.
“I was able to admire them in a different way, on a different scale than I was before. And getting to meet them, getting to talk to them in a way that I don’t usually do when I’m on the regular tour. It brought a lot of emotions and a lot of great memories.
“I wasn’t just watching any regular tennis there. I was witnessing legacy,” the world number 12 continued. “I was observing how their body language is, what makes them such incredible athletes, and for me, it was just a learning experience.
“Being there. I felt absolutely grateful that I got to share that with them. I felt grateful for my entire journey leading up to the Laver Cup because I felt like I have come a long way to earn my spot within that team, and it, in a way, reflected greatly my journey and everything that I’ve put in, in order to earn my spot.”
Can Stefanos Tsitsipas rediscover his form of old?
A dreary hard-court summer didn’t lift Greek spirits much. However having removed his father from the picture, at least in a coaching capacity, it feels the most healthy and constructive move for all parties.
While Tsitsipas has enjoyed the highs in Monte Carlo and a final in Barcelona, there has been little else to report this year.
The former world number three has slid down to outside the top 10 and will have trouble getting there if his form sees no swift turnaround.
It was only the beginning of 2023 when the 26-year-old reached the final of the Australian Open, eventually losing to Novak Djokovic in straight sets.
After Tsitsipas himself set a goal of reaching the top 10 after the Olympics, it remains to be seen whether it will all fall back into place as quickly as he envisions.
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