ROLEX MONTE-CARLO MASTERS

April 11, 2021

Stefanos Tsitsipas

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. How are you feeling entering this clay season? How do you feel about your game and physically?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: I've practiced a lot of days on clay. I've been feeling well. My body is in good shape. Currently I feel like I'm working a lot on my physicality when I play friendly matches on clay. I think that's going to be the most important aspect in my game during the clay court season.

Q. How do you feel here with the setting, with no public? I know you've been used for a while to play in these conditions. Some players say it's cool to have more space in the club, even though they regret the public.

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: It's way better to have space for the players, have us move around a little bit more. Obviously miss the public a lot. We can't wait to have them back.

Right now I'm enjoying being here. As I said, there's a lot of space. That definitely puts out a better atmosphere between the players, as well.

Yeah, it's always fun tournament to be watching and playing, the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters.

Q. I'd like to know, players normally don't like to make predictions. Considering that Musetti has played a little bit on clay, and Karatsev not so much, who do you see being your most probable opponent in which will be your first round?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Second.

Q. And what do you expect?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Second round.

Q. For you it will be the first one, for them the second.

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: I would go for Lorenzo Musetti. He has played plenty of matches on clay. I think he's getting in shape match by match. I would go for that.

Q. Obviously you've made the semis of your last two slams. I'm wondering, does that perhaps give you, allow you to have higher expectations entering this clay season with eyes on Roland Garros? Do you feel you're due a final now or even further?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: I'm fighting for the Race to Turin. I'm trying to make as many points as possible and get podiums, as well.

It is important for me to be playing a lot of tournaments prior to the French Open. Clay is a surface that I love to play and explore my game.

The French Open is a tournament that formed good memories last year. I truly enjoyed playing in the French capital, putting out such an incredible game, having such a long journey in the courts of the Roland Garros.

Coming back is going to make me feel the nostalgia from last years. I'm expecting difficult matches again this year.

Q. Comparing this year with last year, the French Open came after what was a very short clay court season for most people. There were some big surprises at Roland Garros. Do you think this year the results may be more predictable, that the best players will come to the top?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: This is something that not even the best of the best experts knows. It all comes to the shape of every single player, how well they feel playing at the French Open, also in the clay court swing. We don't what to expect.

I mean, making predictions is always fun, amusing. But to me every single player has an opportunity to do something greater, to make a surprise.

Q. How do you see the current situation with COVID, not as a tennis player, but as a human being? Is it tough for you not to be at home, be able to see your friends or family? Is it the same? How do you live that?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: It has been difficult to kind of grasp. It has affected me in certain ways. I think being away from the normal everyday life that I was used on living, being kept away from human interactions and ease of traveling made it very difficult.

In the very beginning I did think it is going to be easy, relatively easy, and I wouldn't suffer as much. But it ended up being difficult and psychologically excruciating.

I'm happy we are heading towards a direction that is going to show something better. Yeah, there will be solutions very soon. I'm sure the governing bodies and ATP will do a great job on protecting the players and making the best out of it to have the tour come back to normality and have players feel comfortable and have the atmosphere come back.

I do believe we're going to see a change soon. I can't wait for this to happen, for all of us to be able to get back to normal conditions of tennis.

Q. Obviously everyone is always trying to do everything possible to improve their game, adding people to their team. What did you make of the news that Felix has Toni Nadal with him this clay court season?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: That came really unexpected. Didn't see that coming. It's pretty cool having a coach that has helped Rafael Nadal win so many important titles and has shaped his career in a way.

Well, it's really good for him. I feel like he has an advantage having a coach like this. But he's not going to do the playing for him. Might give him a few tips and good advice. It's all going to go out on the court at the end.