Stefanos Tsitsipas won his opening match at the Australian Open.
The Greek number one defeated Japan’s Shintaro Mochizuki in straight sets, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.
In doing so, Tsitsipas booked his place in the second round of the Australian Open, where he will play Tomas Machac.
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Tsitsipas was later asked if he ever deals with ‘awkward’ situations in the ATP Tour locker room during his post-match press conference.
In typical Tsitsipas fashion, the 27-year-old gave an in-depth and honest answer to the question.
Stefanos Tsitsipas says some players in the locker room develop an ‘ego’ after a few good results
“We don’t have a lot of situations like that. I feel like everyone is cool with everyone,” said Tsitsipas.
“Obviously, there are players that it’s harder to get a Hi from.
“I was having a conversation with my fitness coach today, and, you know, one thing I don’t understand about certain tennis players is how they develop a bit of an attitude and a bit of an ego once they make one or two good results.
“Their whole personality kind of changes.
“I wouldn’t say arrogant. Perhaps some of them.”
Tsitsipas then named an athlete he thinks is one of the most ‘humble’ in the world, and suggested some players take inspiration from him.
“I just wish more tennis players weren’t attached to their results and to what they do that determines who they are,” he said.
“I love humble people.
“That’s one of the reasons I actually admire Giannis Antetokounmpo a lot.
“He’s achieved so much through basketball. He’s one of the most humble athletes I’ve ever met and spent time with. I wish more tennis players were like that.”
The former world number three would like his fellow ATP stars to be friendlier.
“I’m not saying tennis players are arrogant, I’m just saying there are a few instances of tennis players here and there,” said Tsitsipas.
“You will try to say hi to them. I’m not asking to like have a conversation with that particular player, but it will be nice when you cross someone, at least say hi.
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“I’ve realized certain people are just not on the same frequency, that’s all.
“I just wish it was more normal on the tour to be like that.”
Tsitsipas didn’t name names, but has he encountered trouble with anyone in the locker room before?
Stefanos Tsitsipas once called Nick Kyrgios a bully
Tsitsipas and Nick Kyrgios met in the third round of Wimbledon four years ago.
Their match wasn’t exactly played in good spirits, and the Greek wasn’t afraid to make his feelings heard after losing in four sets.
“It’s constant bullying, that’s what he does,” said
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“He bullies the opponents. He was probably a bully at school himself. I don’t like bullies. I don’t like people who put other people down.
“He has some good traits in his character, as well. But he also has a very evil side to him, which, if it’s exposed, can really do a lot of harm and bad to the people around him.
“Myself, when I feel like other people disrespect me and don’t respect what I’m doing from the other side of the court, it’s absolutely normal for me to act and do something about it.”
Tsitsipas then commented on his handshake with Kyrgios.
“The handshake part, well deserved, well done for the great match, for sure, I need to congratulate my opponent,” he said.
“It’s a thing I have been doing my entire life. I have never finished the match and not given my hand to the opponent.
“But attitude-wise, if there was a handshake for that, I would definitely be walking away from it, and that’s how it is. It’s not acceptable in any way.”
Tsitsipas certainly wasn’t a fan of Kyrgios back then, and it’s hard to imagine that even Kyrgios himself would deny having an ego.
They seem to get on better now, though, so it may not be Kyrgios that Tsitsipas was talking about…
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