THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 28, 2022

Stefanos Tsitsipas

Press Conference

S. TSITSIPAS/A. Ritschard

7-6, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Just wanted to get your reaction to kind of the men's draw today. Everyone has had it tough through the first few days of the men's tournament already. You've been away in the Mallorca Championships and had that experience on the tennis courts already on grass. How much does that help you coming into a tournament like this?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Well, it definitely helps having a victory before a big event like this.

Grass court here is completely different. It's perfect. You never get misbounces, which sometimes can help and sometimes doesn't really help that much.

It's pure, clean tennis. I haven't had the privilege of starting Wimbledon with a title before the week before. That gives me a lot of confidence on having a strong start this year.

Points or no points, I approach it, I try and approach it the same way. I'm playing for just the idea that Wimbledon has to offer.

Q. Have you been keeping an eye on the draw at all? Is that something you do? For example, Berrettini has had to withdraw for COVID, just wanted to get your reaction to that, Berrettini obviously coming in...

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Someone is not feeling well and especially with something, a disease like -- it's not a disease, but illness like COVID, I think it's difficult to go out on the court and compete.

You know, it obviously has different effects on different people, and I think for him to take that big decision to retire, it must have been really tough. He must have been in a serious kind of condition, state -- sorry -- state to proceed like this. We had a similar case also with another player.

Well, at this point you have to test yourself to see what illness you have, and it's absolutely normal the procedure of how this went to be. And the safety also of other players, that they are respected, and they wanted to keep everything kind of fair and have everyone feel safe in this tournament, because, you know, a lot can happen.

Q. That grass court title win in Mallorca has to give you added confidence coming to Wimbledon this week. How much did it change your approach to Wimbledon once you won that final on Sunday coming into this week?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: How does it change my approach?

Q. Yeah, like did it change your mood, confidence kind of...

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Yeah, it made me kind of fall in love more with the surface. I like playing on grass. Having tournament wins on surfaces elevates you, puts you in a better mood, as well.

It is very good for your self-esteem, and that's how I have been feeling. It's important to feel that way, especially when you are competing at the highest level of tennis.

You know, winning titles can really boost your confidence and help you capture bigger titles later on in your career. You've got to start small. You don't go big straightaway unless, I don't know, unless we take girls as an example, they seem to be doing that straightaway. But on the men's side, it's kind of different.