DUBAI DUTY FREE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

March 1, 2025

Stefanos Tsitsipas

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium

Press Conference

S. TSITSIPAS/F. Auger-Aliassime

6-3, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: How are you feeling right now, as the champion?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: It feels good to walk away with the title here. I've had two finals that weren't easy to deal with. Especially when you come so close to a title, there are a lot of things that go through your mind. I dealt with those emotions. I dealt with those feelings very much early and well today.

Makes a whole difference since those other finals that I've played in the past, the way I performed in them, I'm extremely proud with the way I fought but also the way I conquered the court and dealt with those decisions at certain points that I had to come up with something good.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Even when you had the break points, you faced break points in the first set, you never looked like you were losing that game. What was the key, the level of confidence that you displayed?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Well, they were definitely big moments and I had to come up with a good solution there, play the most effective way that would serve me the best. I came up with those shots that I did.

I had to go at those shots. I had to play with aggression and I had to kind of not let my opponent dictate. I did that fantastically when the ball came to me after those serves that I served.

It was a good way to kind of get back into the match, continue with my game. I felt like you can consider those pressure moments. I was very good on those.

One thing that I'm wishing is that I managed to kind of get to those moments less because I felt like there is definitely a gap there that I can close and I can improve in terms of like making it maybe a little bit more difficult for the opponent to get to those moments. That's what I'm going to focus on in the next couple of weeks.

Q. What is more delightful for you, your first ATP 500 or returning to top 10, your Dubai title?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Currently the title I would say more. I've been in the top 10 before. It's not that it's not great being back in the top 10, but I feel like the focus right now is the final redemption of getting back and winning the Dubai tournament. Especially when I failed twice. You don't want to be losing the final for the third time. That was definitely something that was more of a motive to go out there and win today.

I guess the top 10 comes with it, so it's a great addition.

Q. What would be the biggest difference you would say in winning the title, that you could go the extra distance?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Managing situations better. I am pretty sure applying even more pressure than I did before. I felt like there was a little bit of a difference in terms of how I applied pressure and how I went for my biggest shots. I can say that that has improved.

I can maybe hit a little bit bigger now. I feel like I can cause more harm with my shot-making. I feel a big difference in my backhands and the way I serve when I find my spots. These things I feel like contribute to the improvement of the game that I'm trying to play out there.

These type of things, they kind of fill you up with confidence when you see the end result on the other side of the court.

Q. Can you explain at the start of the year how you felt and what is it you're looking forward to the rest of the year?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: I'm looking forward to just constantly growing and getting better. I feel like I'm playing well right now, but I feel like there are things I can improve definitely. There are things that I can focus on a little bit more, try to kind of break that sort of bit of a difference that could lead me to something better.

I'm focusing right now, my eyes are on those small little detailed improvements I can make in my game, such like being able to find my spots better on my serve. This is something I definitely will be working on.

One other thing that I just mentioned is making the opponent work harder to get to break point opportunities. These are the type of things that I want to reassess, I want to eye it as a target, and get better. Obviously not overnight, it's going to take a while, but I'm committed to the process.

Q. You played here four times now. You reached the final three times. You won it now. You had a lot of support. Talk about your relationship with this tournament, with the city.

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Well, I've been coming here for a lot of years. There were years that I didn't play here. I always came here for pre-season. It has always been my pre-season destination for over a decade now, almost a decade let's say.

I've spent some of my nicest off-tour moments in Dubai let's say because the pre-season time is probably the one that you are the most chilled and the least stressed when you're on the tour. I've had a big fair share of moments in Dubai. I've had two finals here, which is not so bad.

I always felt like there was something missing, so I'm happy to kind of get out here and win the title.

Q. I met a few Greek fans after your quarterfinal win. Kids are 10- and 12-year-old brothers. They took up tennis, Dubai residents, got inspired by you and Maria Sakkari. How does it feel to be playing a role making tennis a more popular sport in a country like Greece?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: I think moments like this contribute to the popularity of the sport especially in a small country like Greece.

With success like this comes viewership. There is a growing interest. I feel like tennis on its own is a popular sport. Before like a couple of years back, if I was to take it 10 years back, tennis was not so popular as it is now.

I feel satisfied in a way deep inside that I am part of this contribution. I personally want to grow it even more. I want to make it one of the top sports in my country for a kid to attend or play.

I feel like these type of things help. Obviously the things that you leave behind, except your tennis, the type of person you are, the good and positive intents that you have before any action, these are the type of examples that we need in sports.

I'm obviously trying to set the example for those young kids back home in Greece. I would love to see many of them emerge and become champions in the future.

I'm fully in to support them.