Stefanos Tsitsipas believes in the message of ubuntu

Tennis News

James Richardson
March 23, 2023

Stefanos Tsitsipas has shared his belief in the message of ubuntu, a philosophy that originates from South Africa in particular from the oral tradition of the Zulu people.

The concept is fully expressed as ‘Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu’, which roughly translates to people are people because of other people.

Essentially the philosophy promotes valuing the collective good over the benefit of the individual.

The Greek philosopher and World No 3 espoused this belief as he explained how he was happy for the success achieved by Daniil Medvedev and Carlos Alcaraz.

“I’m happy for them,” he told the ATP.

“I believe in the message of ubuntu [a philosophy that supports collectivism over individualism]…by having others be good, [to] sort of witness greatness of others around me, I am also allowing myself to become better too.

“I believe in that message and I think the fact that they’re doing well is benefitting me too and it’s giving me a clear, better view of how I should approach my game.”

Tsitsipas has been carrying a shoulder injury, but he is upbeat about his chances of playing pain-free in Miami after losing his opener at Indian Wells.

“Everything is getting better and I’m heading toward the right direction,” he said.

“[I hope] to play pain free and just be able to step out there and show something different than Indian Wells because Indian Wells was a big struggle…I hope I get to play with more of an element of fun on the court and not think too much about my arm.

“My health is the most important thing that I could have in tennis. When I’m feeling healthy, everything falls into place nicely. I’m enjoying myself on the court, I’m getting creative, I can mix up my game and I feel like nothing can go wrong. This is what my aim is for this tournament, to just play pain free and see how my arm responds on these next few days.”

Tsitsipas says that he has been able to enjoy himself on the ATP Tour a lot more after learning that there are times when he can just let go.

“I have been very open to being a bit more loose and not so strict with myself the last few years, comparing myself to three or four years ago when I got started,” he said.

“I was extremely disciplined. Not that I’m not now, but I can let go sometimes. For example, I would just spend the entire two weeks sometimes locked inside my room and go nowhere. I do allow myself a little bit more freedom now and I think it has benefitted me a lot and gave me the opportunity to also grow as a person and not be 100 per cent focussed on the tennis every single week.”

Miami Open second seed Tsitsipas is scheduled to face the winner of the first round clash between Richard Gasquet and Christopher O’Connell on Friday.

Stefanos Tsitsipas