MUTUA MADRID OPEN

May 6, 2022

Stefanos Tsitsipas

Press Conference

S. TSITSIPAS/A. Rublev

6-3, 2-6, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. The last game it seemed like you had good control in the third set but then Rublev had two breakpoints. How did you face those points?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: You know, it was important to kind of stay relaxed and I did stay relaxed in that game. I don't think there was much of any kind of tightness, because I knew that it could end up not in my favor. So I guess two second serves in a moment where I was actually serving pretty well, but at this point I was trying to convince myself that I'm a fighter, and, you know, things will get better if I just put myself out there in the best possible way.

I don't have to go for crazy shots. I just need to get creative and find ways to play with the ball in ways that could break the rhythm a little bit, you know, serving a little different and being very determined that, at this point, very, very determined that it's going to go my way. My beliefs came to reality.

Q. Good match tonight. Can you compare the clay courts in Barcelona that you have been recently, final with Rafa, and Madrid? You change the altitude, because Rafa was talking about the altitude in Madrid, how does it suit your game? Better Barcelona or Madrid?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: I don't know.

Q. As long as you win, it's okay? I'm talking about the ball is more heavy in Barcelona, blah, blah.

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Well, normally with altitude the ball would feel heavier on the racquet of the opponent. But it's a little bit more out of control, for sure. It's more lively in the air.

Well, look, if I'm able to produce shots with a lot of topspin and they land deep and consistent and with a lot of variation, I would probably say here. But it's not easy to produce shots like this, but when you do, you can tell already from the feeling of acceleration that you have, and you can tell by the curves of the ball that it's going to land in. That can be a really heavy shot in these conditions compared to Barcelona. That's it.

Q. You have had this quite calm aura around you this week. I feel like you're playing really well but somehow also fly under the radar. How would you describe your mindset, and do you feel like you're flying under the radar?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: How do I feel? I feel centered, I feel my body relaxed. I don't feel tightness when I play. Something I'm working on. I feel sort of like in the zone and not really thinking of future or past, which is a great thing. It comes with work. It comes with daily routines that I do.

Q. How do you reach that kind of zen? How do you train something like that?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: (Pointing.) Person right there. Costas. He helps me reach that. He's here with me.

He's the person I have been telling you about. He knows me since 10 years old? 12? Yeah, he saw me 12 years old in some courts in Greece. I was competing, playing tournaments. He was the first person to walk to see my match, and ended up seeing my dad who were studying together in university many years ago before I was even born.

My dad knew him from there. Costas is a psychologist. What else are you, Costas? A sports psychologist and advisor?

COSTAS: Trainer as well.

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: He's a human being. We have been working with Costas for a long time, but it has been limited, especially before traveling. It hasn't been easy. Recent pandemic, the recent pandemic.

But, you know, he's someone that helps me with my routines, and we go through it every single day.

Q. You mentioned Costas. What about Petros? You go together on trainings and everywhere. What was the post yesterday on Instagram? It was really interesting.

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Two days ago.

Q. Yeah, this one. How pop up the idea about it?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: You have got to mix it up a little bit. You don't want to be posting the same stuff.

Well, first of all, let me get this straight, none of it is true. I guess you know that already. Felt creative and wanted to do a little bit of comedy. That's all.

I love my brother so much. We share a special bond and relationship. You know, I try and help him as much as I can. I believe in him. I believe he's capable of doing great things, especially in his strongest field, which is doubles.

I think he can do great things there. I have been trying to partner up with him in some tournaments. I guess I'm his biggest believer.

Q. To follow up on the other question, I have been speaking to a lot of players about why they choose to travel with psychologists and whether they prefer it that way or not. With you, is that something moving forward you want to have more regularly, or do you prefer to have a balance, sometimes have him with you and sometimes not?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: If ATP increases prize money, maybe (smiling).

No, no, no. No, Costas, I'm sure we are gonna travel many more tournaments this year. You know, also he has a life back in Greece so it's not easy, but I would like to include him in more tournaments and maybe feel that way a little bit more when I'm on the tour.

Of course we try and do that digitally every single day, but it's not really the same. But again, you know, it's something that helps me feel more centered, helps me feel more like me.

I guess I get less anxious and less stressed, which sometimes can be inconsistent. Sometimes you can feel great one day and the next day you feel like you're losing your, I don't want to say it, but you know what I mean.

But you feel it. So that's my point. For me, I have said that in the past: Consistency is the most important thing. I don't care about going too big or going -- of course if there is no consistency, you either go too big or too small, and I'm trying to find that perfect balance where I can just aim for that consistency that I'm looking for.