Stefanos Tsitsipas sees opportunity to improve in Netflix series

James Richardson
February 6, 2023

World No 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas believes that the Netflix series Break Point offered him a chance to improve his game in some way.

He insists that he enjoys pushing himself and doing things differently.

The series served as a little extra motivation for Tsitsipas as he revealed his attitude to the sport.

Tsitsipas is a problem solver on court and watching him go about his work can be a real treat.

“I really plan to push boundaries and try and improve, even during games. [I am] aggressive, slightly creative. I am never really satisfied by doing the same thing over and over again,” Tsitsipas told ATP Uncovered.

“I was trying to find new creative ways to perform certain tasks and play in any condition.”

Tsitsipas feels that it is of vital importance that a player be able to adjust on the fly and change a match.

“Serving at 6/4 at the Nitto ATP Finals in London in the tie-break, I think I missed my first serve by very few centimetres. I go for an unpredictable second serve towards Dominic’s forehand. I felt it was the right thing to do, it was kind of instinct. Do the opposite of what he would have expected in such a crucial important moment,” Tsitsipas said.

“I just need to stay alive as much as possible. I need to be in that moment, I need to slow down time. That is something that goes through my head. If I am able to slow time down then see and predict and execute. I guess that is what adrenaline does to you. It kind of makes everything move so far and in such a great flow without thinking sometimes.”

Tsitsipas also believes that there is a certain value in learning how to accept defeat and move on.

He asserts that there is a certain loneliness to facing your demons on court and coming up short.

“Having faced those moments in a traumatic way where you’re not able to respond and find ways and fight back and sometimes even win,” Tsitsipas said.

“That is when it really kind of gets tough to manage those thoughts once this moment reaches during a match.

“Having to deal with those emotions. Having to deal with your own thoughts. I would say that it’s only you. External pressure in a way that is out of your control. Internally you are in full ownership and control of that.”

Stefanos Tsitsipas