The world No 6, hoping to defend his ATP Finals title, on early struggles, facing
racism and taking time to forge relationships
Just over a decade ago, Stefanos Tsitsipas was a simple child in Greece bursting with hopes and dreams as he tried to build his
Tennis career. But as he embraced the seriousness of his pursuit, the obstacles became apparent. Greece does not have a tennis culture and he was offered no financial support. It was clear he had to leave in order to succeed yet the
economy was crumbling under the sovereign debt crisis that would define a generation.
“Thinking of it now, I’m very proud that I managed it in the right way and I didn’t freak out,” says Tsitsipas, 22, from the O2 Arena, where he is competing in the ATP Finals. “I could have easily freaked out and felt more the pressure of it at the time.”