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Stefanos Tsitsipas Indian Wells 2021
ATP Tennis Players, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Tennis News

Stefanos Tsitsipas will “try to be a more selfish” player to match the world’s best


World number three Stefanos Tsitsipas is looking to separate himself from the rest of the pack and unveil his “killer attitude”.

Greek Tsitsipas has enjoyed a career-best season winning a maiden ATP Masters 1000 title at the Monte Carlo Masters and reaching a first Grand Slam final at the French Open, losing to World number one Novak Djokovic.

Following a second defeat of the season to Frances Tiafoe, Tsitsipas exited the Vienna Open in the round of 16. Tiafoe beat Tsitsipas 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 after coming from behind to win two sets to one. The Greek number one also lost to Tiafoe in the first round at Wimbledon.

Tsitsipas will be competing in two more tournaments this season in the Rolex Paris Masters and the ATP Finals and has said that he will need to be more selfish to be amongst the best.

“I have two more [tournaments] left and I’m trying to give my last breath on the court and become more of a selfish player on the court, and unveil my killer attitude on the court,” Tsitsipas said.

“You have to be this way. The best players in the world, they are very selfish and they want everything for themselves, and I’m this way too.

“When I’m on the court I’m not mixing it up with my outside life, and I’m able to separate those two. I think once you become soft and start kind of getting into your emotions and feeling many things at once … it’s not really good for you.

“So blocking all of that and letting it pass through and just being able to stay in the moment, these are some qualities that top players have developed and are able to compete at such level, not really care what’s happening on the other side of the court.”

Tsitsipas was also full of praise for World number two Daniil Medvedev, saying that he can learn from his style and mentality.

“Daniil has really perfected the game that he’s playing that not many players can play. I mean, to call him ‘Octopus’ was for a reason. He’s just able to get balls that not many people are able to … He has done very well this year,” he said.

“We all saw what he did at the US Open … He’s one of the most difficult opponents on the Tour, and I guess I’m able to learn from him, as well.”


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.