Stefanos Tsitsipas makes ‘redemption’ comment as he reveals Olympic ambitions
Stefanos Tsitsipas believes the “best redemption” from the Olympic Games would be to bring home a medal as he goes for gold at Paris 2024.
World No 12 Tsitsipas made his Olympic debut in Tokyo three years ago, losing round three of the men’s singles to Ugo Humbert, and round two of the mixed doubles alongside WTA star Maria Sakkari.
This time he will again play in the men’s singles but also alongside his brother Petros in the men’s doubles, the duo having sealed qualification back at Roland Garros – where the Paris 2024 tennis event will be held.
It is not officially confirmed if he will play mixed again with Sakkari or not, having previously said it was unlikely – but not officially ruling it out.
But, with less than two weeks until action begins in the French capital, the two-time major finalist revealed in an interview with BeIn Sports that he was motivated by the prospect of a medal.
He said: “Greece and the games, for sure fit in like bread and butter together. It is something that has been a dream of mine since I started playing tennis, since I first picked up a tennis racket – I always wanted to be an athlete that gets to participate in something like that.
“Of course, to be aiming for a medal is something extraordinary, so my dream keeps on evolving, keeps on existing, and my path towards that is slowly building up.
“For me, the best redemption is walking away from the Games with a medal. For me that’s the best gift you can provide to yourself, and it’s something that lives with you for the rest of your life.”
With top-10 stars Andrey Rublev and Grigor Dimitrov not in action in Paris, Tsitsipas is currently set to be the 10th seed in Paris – though could be higher if there are any late withdrawals.
The Greek is a strong clay-courter and it is undoubtedly his favourite surface, reaching the Roland Garros final in 2021 and the quarter-finals for the second straight year this summer.
He also won a third Monte Carlo title in April and reached the Barcelona Open final though suffered a disappointing grass court season, losing in the second round of Wimbledon.
Tsitsipas is currently in action in Gstaad and faces Fabio Fognini in the last eight on Friday, having been beaten alongside Petros in round two of the men’s doubles.
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