Stefanos Tsitsipas: ‘I make sure to send them postcards’

Stefanos Tsitsipas remains without dropping a set at the 2023 Australian Open, beating Tallon Griekspoor in the fourth round 6-2, 7-6(5), 6-3 to go 9-0 in this edition. The Greek saved a set point late in the second set before conquering Rod Laver Arena. The victory confirms a showdown on Sunday with Jannik Sinner, a rematch of last year’s Melbourne quarter-final, dominated by the Greek. “I enjoyed fighting today,” Tsitsipas said in his on-track interview. “Sometimes it wasn’t easy. I had the crowd with me, as always. It’s always a great feeling when I’m here.” Against Griekspoor, Tsitsipas saved the only break point he faced and the No.4 in the world were a constant concern for their opponent during the two hour and eight minute match. The Greek finished with four breaks made in seven opportunities. “I was good varying my game with the cut and opening the court,” said Tsitsipas. “I think my serving position was exceptional today. I didn’t have a lot of snaps on my serve, which helped me a lot to keep things clear.” While World No. 63 Griekspoor played some fearless tennis just two weeks from winning his first ATP Tour title in Pune, Tsitsipas had all the answers to lead his way to the round of 16 in Melbourne for the fourth time (2019, 2021, 2022). In each of his last three trips to that round, he went on to the semifinals. Thus, the Greek has already moved up one place in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings this week (to No. 3) and will leave Melbourne as No.1 in the world if he wins his first Grand Slam title. Tsitsipas holds a 4-1 ATP Head2Head lead over him against Sinner, including a run of seven straight set wins. His most recent meeting came last year in Rome, following the Greek’s 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory in Melbourne.

Tsitsipas has been a man on a mission 

Stefanos Tsitsipas has acknowledged the importance of fan support. “Typically, I would head back to my room after a few hours recovery. I would spend 30 minutes of my time dedicating it to the fans, to the people who support me. I think this is something that players neglect. My fans are important to me, the people that follow me, the people who support me all my matches. To ones who don’t have the opportunity to come to my matches in remote places or places that don’t have much access to tennis, I make sure to send them postcards and sometimes letters. This is an important part of my life as well.”