SEPT 20 - 22, 2024 | BERLIN
Greek trailblazer Stefanos Tsitsipas is making his fourth appearance with Team Europe, and helped his team win Laver Cup titles in Geneva in 2019 and Boston in 2021. Sharing a court with his two childhood idols, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, in his Laver Cup debut was a dream come true for the soulful Greek, who wants to collect more points as Team Europe strives to win back the Cup.
How it’s going
Tsitsipas owns 11 ATP singles titles and won his third crown at Monte Carlo in April with a straight-sets victory over Team Europe teammate Carlos Ruud in the final. A week later, Ruud avenged the loss in the championship match at Barcelona. A former world No.1 junior, Tsitsipas created history at Roland Garros in 2021, becoming the first Greek player to advance to a Grand Slam final and a career-high No.3 ranking. Two years later, he reached his second Grand Slam final at the Australian Open.
After reaching the last eight of the ATP Masters 1000 in Rome this year, he advanced to the quarterfinals at Roland Garros, falling to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz, Team Europe’s newest teammate in Berlin. Tsitsipas was also a quarterfinalist in the men’s doubles at Roland Garros partnering with his brother, Petros.
The motivation to play Laver Cup
Tsitsipas is a passionate team member, who cherished the opportunity to compete alongside Federer and Nadal in 2019, “ecstatic” memories that have influenced his development as a player. “It brought me closer to my heroes. It brought me closer to their personalities and what they feel like in real life,” he said.
“I was able to admire them in a different way, on a different scale than I was before. And getting to meet them, getting to talk to them in a way that I don’t usually do when I’m on the regular tour. It brought a lot of emotions and a lot of great memories.
“I wasn’t just watching any regular tennis there. I was witnessing legacy. I was observing how their body language is, what makes them such incredible athletes, and for me, it was just a learning experience. Being there. I felt absolutely grateful that I got to share that with them. I felt grateful for my entire journey leading up to the Laver Cup because I felt like I have come a long way to earn my spot within that team, and it, in a way, reflected greatly my journey and everything that I’ve put in, in order to earn my spot.”
Role on Team Europe
A veteran of Laver Cup competition, Tsitsipas holds a 4-3 win-loss record, which includes 3-1 in singles and 1-2 in doubles for a total of six precious points over three editions. He knows how much pressure players can face – especially if competing on the third day with matches valued at three points – and wants to help younger team members negotiate “unusual situations that perhaps some of the younger guys haven’t experienced”.
“I’m there to try and give them the route, help them out along the way,” he said, adding that winning the Laver Cup came down to “passion, consistency and attitude.”
Having Borg lead the team has been “probably one of the coolest experiences of my life,” he said. “He’s literally a living legend. And to have him on the bench, the guy does provide support, coaches from time to time. It was something very soothing and something very refreshing to have by our side. So, I’m grateful that he was able to lead us in his ways and to provide wisdom and knowledge within the sport.”
