ROLAND GARROS

June 9, 2021

Stefanos Tsitsipas

Press Conference

S. TSITSIPAS/D. Medvedev

6-3, 7-6, 7-5

Q. I would like to know the last point, did you expect that he will do something crazy like that? And maybe it's not crazy, but to serve from underarm, did you see in match before because you went there quite smoothly. It's like if you had seen it before almost.

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: A very millenial shot. So true.

Well, once he took kind of like a short break, I saw he kind of stopped. I felt like there was something coming up, so at that point I think I got prepared for it, yeah. Is that like -- less of a second when you realize something is about to change from a regular, and yeah, it was fine. I mean, I had what I had to do.

Q. I know you're still two matches away, but do you feel like you can win the tournament?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Well, I'm playing good. That will show by itself. I don't think there's a player out there that thinks they can't win the tournament. I'm pretty sure they all know they can play well. If someone could grant them the tournament, I don't think that's a thought. Of course I'm playing good, and I think if I keep repeating the process, keep repeating the everyday hustle that I put, for sure there's going to be a reward, and why not.

Q. The match went from a match that you were dominating in the first to a really tight, intense match and you were able to dig out, I think, from a couple break points down and really cruise through that second set. How pleased are you that you were able to deliver your best tennis serving when it mattered the most in some of the tight moments?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Yeah, it was good. It was good. Well, I felt like I was in favor. I felt like I was kind of winning more points on my serve. I felt like I had a clearer plan of what I was doing. Of course that confidence was brought in in the tiebreak, and that last game he was up 40-Love, I kind of stepped in and started attacking a bit more, being more aggressive, and it kind of paid off. He didn't quite expect it, I think. It was a really good returning game from my side, and I think I totally earned it.

Q. You've got a day's rest now and then it's Alexander Zverev in the semifinals. What do you need to do against him? What would be your plan?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Good rehab and good practice and good food, good nutrition, all these three.

Q. About Sascha, he is German but he had Russian parents and so do you; your mother is Russian. And also Shapovalov, his parents are also Russian. You guys are the same generation, having like Russian roots. Do you think it's just a coincidence or is there any reason?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: I guess tennis upbringing, surrounded by parents that were involved in the sport and played it themselves, because that's the case. All these players and their families, they have tennis background, so I would give it to that. That's the reason.

Q. I know a lot of people get excited about this match still in tennis because there aren't that many sort of fiery spicy rivalries in tennis these days and people talk about what happened with you and Daniil back in Miami three years ago. I'm wondering if you still feel like this is a tense matchup for you two on court or if that's in the past, if it's somewhere in between. How do you feel about this sort of rivalry you have with Daniil?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: I don't really think about it. It's been a long time since we played that match. Kind of not part of my memory really. Yeah, it wasn't really a good memory, honestly, so what for.

Q. Is it a big relief being able to get through all these matches and knowing that you're not going to have to face Rafa or Novak until the final?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Well, not really. Every single opponent that has made their way to the semifinals has been playing great tennis, so I think -- I kind of get your point of view, but it's also that we are surrounded by great players no matter if that's Rafa or someone else. They all can play.

Q. Three great Grand Slam semifinals is a great accomplishment. Does it mean a lot to you or does it feel like it's not enough?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: I feel privileged that I'm in that position, and I feel obviously I've put in a lot of daily hard work and has been a key element of me being here.

But you know, my ego tells me I want more.