DUBAI DUTY FREE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

February 28, 2025

Stefanos Tsitsipas

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium

Press Conference

S. TSITSIPAS/T. Griekspoor

6-4, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. How do you feel about today?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: It was a well-balanced game from my side. I felt like I didn't get into the same drama that I got in the previous matches where I felt like I was in kind of control and suddenly the coin flipped. I'm glad with that because it creates a lot of drama.

I need to start hunting. I was not in a position to hunt today. I felt like I was leading the game, which felt good. I played the tennis that I deserved.

Q. About what you're testing out with your racquet, what do you feel it's bringing to your game?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: What is it bringing to my game? Comfort is one thing that it brings to my game. That is something that I was trying to kind of add into my game. I've been receiving some of that extra help. I've spoken about how balls and courts have changed over the last couple of years. That's just me trying to adapt to that. That's all.

Q. When you're used to something, making a change is not easy. Talk about the mental side of convincing yourself to go out on a limb, try something different.

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: It was kind of a no-brainer, I feel like, especially when you see the way things respond and the way you remember things being a few years back.

It's let's say foolish of me not to try and make the change because it's too obvious that it doesn't really benefit me or help me. These changes sometimes are necessary because you don't want to be stuck in the same pattern over and over again.

I feel like it's something refreshing and a good addition so far. It definitely brings that refreshing feeling, let's say, and adds a bit of life and enthusiasm, let's say, to my everyday going to work in a way.

Q. Back in the Dubai final for a third time. What are your memories of the first two?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: I like both memories. I feel like one was a bit more historic than the other. Playing Roger for his 100th career title was kind of iconic. I got to be part of it.

I wouldn't say I was a fan boy at the time, but it felt good to be part of a final like that. I won't lie that I felt a little bit stressed because I felt responsible whether he's going to clinch it or not.

Yeah, it wasn't a great kind of fight or battle from my side. I wish I would have played a little bit better and done things a bit different. But it definitely lives in my mind as a great memory and a great final I got to experience with one of the greats of the sport.

Q. You have Felix next. When you played him the first couple of times, you had trouble against him.

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: That's right.

Q. Then you flipped that head-to-head around. How do you look ahead now? He's trying to get back to where he used to be. What does it mean for you to meet now in the final?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: I feel like he has improved. I've been seeing that over the last few weeks. I'm not expecting the same type of Felix that I've played before. I'm expecting something different. Him being in the final just proves that and also proves the last few weeks that he's had on the tour.

From my mind, I'm just going to try to play good, try to be a tough opponent to beat. That's my main focus, my main goal going out there. I will try my best in terms of delivering that, making sure that's the level that I want to reach when I'm playing out there.

Q. The last couple nights you played very late. How does that affect your preparations, what time you get to sleep, what time you wake up?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Today?

Q. Last couple days.

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: It was a little bit out of my normal, let's say, because I had a few days where I went to bed at 1:30, 2:30. Yesterday was quite late. It feels strange waking up at 12:30 in the afternoon, having that be your standard. I don't know if it's good or bad for the next few weeks that I'm going to be traveling to the U.S. Might help actually.

It's definitely not the schedule I envision when I'm on the tour (smiling).

Q. As I understand, you dedicated this match to the victims of the train crash. Does this promise help you or put some pressure?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Well, it's more like honoring the people that were involved in this event. They went through very difficult times. It was a big tragedy in my country.

I feel like in a way I'm responsible and I'm a spokesperson through sport at least for my own country, trying to lead good examples and positive things in the younger generation of my country, sort of providing solace and providing sort of a unity through that.

Through tennis I feel like there's a lot of unity that can be brought, and through sport especially. It's sort of the place it unites people and makes people stronger.

Q. You publish sometimes posts with some philosophical quotes. Do you have plan or you do it when something comes to your mind? Do you create it personally or...

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: No, I create it personally. I do it usually when I have a bit of free time, let's say when I'm not practicing or so involved in my practice regimen or training. We'll have those days where we're a little bit laid back on the couch, taking a day more easy. That's when my inspiration I guess grows a little bit more.

I just like writing those little texts or sort of phrases because it's kind of opening my mind to perceptions of the world and how I view the world.

I also want to add humor to it because I feel like humor is necessary in life. These things are important.

Q. What actually changed tonight? It wasn't a three-setter. A couple of shot selections you were making? Was it the mental strength that's coming out or is it just the physical practice?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: It's a combination of everything. I feel like there are certain things that I have been training for. It sort of pays off in the match. It's always something that you expect to happen in a match.

It's the right preparation. It's where preparation just meets everything: the psychological part, the actual fitness part, how fit you are on the court, and how long you can maintain that.

The biggest battle that happens on the tennis court, I feel like it's the mind. It all goes down to the mind, the way you process information, the way you deal with certain situations, big moments that might emerge during a match. These kind of things separate us of who's the best and who's not.