US OPEN

August 27, 2021

Stefanos Tsitsipas

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Could you tell us your initial reaction when you saw the draw against Andy, what your thoughts are for that match?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Yeah, he's still on. You know, he's trying to be back on the tour last couple of weeks. He's someone that has been putting a lot of work to get back and has been playing very good tennis to be standing where he's at right now.

I think I'm going to go for it, try my chances against him. He's someone that won't give up. I'll have to bring some good tennis from my side.

Q. What are your thoughts on the opportunity and the competition among you and Zverev, Medvedev, guys who have not yet won a major but have been so close?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Right. All of us, we're in that kind of path. We share kind of the same goals and aspirations.

I personally believe that all of us have, like, good game to get to Grand Slam titles. It is important that we're able to showcase that level of tennis in these kind of tournaments as best as possible to represent our generation of tennis in the best possible way.

Q. What have you learned from watching the big three in the way they've won majors over the years that can help you?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Their commitment to the game and enjoying every single moment, whether it's bad or good.

Q. How do you do that?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: I think it comes with experience and it comes with kind of believing in yourself, considering yourself among the best tennis players in the world.

These players have done that tremendously well. They've gained respect through that. For me personally, I've been able to see that with my own eyes. They just love the game so much. At the same time they're hard workers and they really dedicate a lot of time on court and off court trying to perfect their craft.

Q. (Question about Instagram post.)

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Seth is a really humble and nice guy. We had good times with him yesterday. I'm glad I met him. My initial goal when I started this is to someday get to meet him and get to do a collab with him. I'm glad it happened here.

He's someone that I kind of look up to a lot. Something simple as what he does, in a way it is much more complex than it looks like. The way he spreads messages, the way he entertains people is unique on its own.

Q. What goes through your mind when you think of what Novak is pursuing here?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Respect for him. He's an example of someone who commits himself a lot to the game and tries to get the best possible out of it.

I really wish for me to maybe one day be at that level of consistency and be able to dominate Grand Slams at such level. It is something that comes with time. I think he has learned throughout the years how to preserve his best strengths and kind of expose them at the right moment, at the right time.

Q. Your results in New York have not been quite as good as some of the other slams yet in your career. How do you keep a positive mindset about this tournament, try to improve?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Well, every single year is another opportunity to show something different. That's my approach.

Q. Can you explain how the relationship works between Patrick and your father, how everything coordinates between you and your father, how things get sorted and handled?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: I guess he's someone that everything filters through him. He's the person that I've put in charge to filter everything. It's not easy to put someone in that position.

My dad is someone that I very much trust and want to keep in that position, kind of help me every single day with whatever stuff presents, whatever is presented to me. He's someone that has very good organization skills, I would say.

Q. At the US Open last year you had that crazy match with Borna. After that you did really well at the slams. How do you look back at that match? What did you learn from it that gave you that consistency after that?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: It taught me a lot of things. I think it was important that that happened. Very unfortunate it happened here. It's something that I didn't really went through before. I never thought it would have been possible to go through something like this.

But I was very close. For me that was more of a win than a loss because in a way I really earned to be in that position that I was at that moment, at that given moment, but I didn't manage to kind of -- maybe I got a little bit unlucky, I didn't manage to find ways to close it in the best way.

This moment played important for him and gave him kind of the strength and confidence to get back just overall better.

I saw it as a positive loss, despite me being so close from winning that match. I guess it built strength and gave me belief that things will get better.

Q. We learned from your last match with Sascha Zverev in Cincinnati that during your toilet break he complained about you taking your bag with the phone, your cell phone, meaning that you might be texting with your father coach. Do you think there should be any measures to be taken in order to prevent players from receiving coaching, something that will be safe for everybody?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: I don't know what to say. Honestly, I don't know what to say.

Right now we know that coaching is not permitted, but it might change in the future. We don't know. I've never done anything -- okay, anyway.

Q. Do you feel like you're ready to be called one of the big three in tennis? If you play versus Novak at this tournament, what are your expectations from the match?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: I'm focusing on what's next. This is way too deep to look into. Got to stay in the moment. He's someone that has a good run on the slams right now.

Me personally, I just try to stay in the moment and get to play the best in each single match that I will have the opportunity to play here.

Q. Who cut your hair during lockdown? Would you recommend their services?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Hmm. Let me think. I don't remember cutting my hair during lockdown, so you can imagine the situation there (smiling).

I don't remember anyone cutting my hair. I wouldn't trust anyone with cutting my hair.

Q. Same with me.

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Same with you (laughter)? Did you have your dad cut your hair during lockdown?

Q. Yes. It didn't look good.

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: I wouldn't trust my dad either to cut my hair (smiling).