Stefanos Tsitsipas reveals why he will likely reject Maria Sakkari’s Olympics offer
Stefanos Tsitsipas has divulged he is unlikely to play mixed doubles with Greek compatriot Maria Sakkari at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
The 25-year-old explained he has the dream of playing doubles with his brother Petros Tsitsipas at the Games, and feels playing all three events would be “a bit too much.”
Tsitsipas and Sakkari teamed up for Greece in the mixed doubles event at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where they reached the quarter-finals. They have also previously joined forces to play doubles for the Greek team at the Hopman Cup and the United Cup in Australia.
Speaking last week, Sakkari expressed her wish to play with Tsitsipas at the Paris Olympics, but suggested her fellow Greek was unlikely to compete in the mixed doubles event.
“I would like to play mixed doubles because I really think we have a good chance, but as far as I know he’s planning on not playing mixed because he’s playing doubles with his brother,” the WTA world No 6 said.
“Everyone knows how good we can play. It’s a 16-draw, you win two matches you’re in the semis and then you get a chance to win a medal … I just feel like it would be unfortunate if we don’t play together, but it’s his decision. From my side I really want to play.”
The 2024 Olympic Games will be staged on the clay courts of Stade Roland Garros from July 27 to August 4 — a surface on which Tsitsipas has achieved his best results and venue where he reached the 2021 French Open final.
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After crushing Casper Ruud to claim his third Monte Carlo Masters title on Sunday, Tsitsipas was asked about his plans for this year’s Olympics after Sakkari’s comments.
“What I want to do is clear. If I manage to get in the Olympic Games with my brother Petros, I would want to play singles and doubles with him,” said the 25-year-old in his press conference.
“I would say that playing three events in a single tournament is a bit too much for me, physically taxing, and I would want to avoid that.
“I know that it’s the Olympics and it’s a great opportunity to play with Maria, and I completely agree she’s one of the best partners to have in the mixed doubles field. I have had great moments with her.
“But at the same time, I have a dream with my brother I’d like to share and be one of the very few brothers that have ever played together in the Olympics, especially in tennis.
“Nothing is stronger than that dream, and I really want to make this possible for the both of us. It’s family, and combining it with such a large event that dates back to ancient Greece, for us, it’s bigger than anything else.”
Tsitsipas crushed Ruud 6-1, 6-4 in the final of the 2024 Monte Carlo Masters to win his 11th ATP singles title and first since the Los Cabos Open in August. The Greek’s victory saw him return to the top 10 of the ATP Rankings as he climbed from 12th to seventh position.
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