As part of our weekly segment, it’s time to fill you in on who we think is a future star and provide you with stats & videos. Please allow The Sporting Base to introduce Greek Tennis sensation, Stefanos Tsitsipas.
- Name: Stefanos Tsitsipas
- Nationality: Greek
- Turned Pro: 2016
- D.O.B: 12 August 1998 (age 20)
- Height: 1.93 m (6 ft 4in)
- Weight: 83kg’s
- Plays: Right Handed – One Handed Backhand
- Current Ranking: 15
Stefanos Tsitsipas is currently ranked world number 15 and is the youngest player in the ATP top 20. Tsitsipas is an aggressive baseliner who has a strong forehand and hits powerful groundstroke winners. Blessed with a big serve, the Greek sensation isn’t afraid to go to the net when it matters.
Background
Born in Greece and raised in a nearby town to Athens called Vouliagmeni, Stefanos Tsitsipas was born into a tennis family. His father Apostolos, a tennis coach and his mother Julia a former professional on the WTA, Stefanos first picked up a tennis racquet aged three and began lessons at six. The eldest of four children, Tsitsipas credits the understanding at a young age of discipline, work ethic and solid technique as the key to his future success.
Early Career
Tsitsipas began travelling the world as a junior competing in tournaments. He reached the final of the Orange Bowl in 2014 which landed him the opportunity of competing in the junior Grand Slam tournaments in 2015. His best result was reaching the quarterfinals at the Australian Open and again making the final of the Orange Bowl. He finished the year as the #14 ranked junior in the world.
2016 was a great year for Stefanos, he reached at least the quarterfinals of all eight tournaments he played, including the four grand slams. He won his first grade A tournament and the highlight of the year was winning the junior doubles at Wimbledon. He also made the singles semi finals at Wimbledon and the US Open.
Professional Career
Tsitsipas won his first ATP match towards the end of 2017 and began to climb the ATP rankings the following year. In doing so Stefanos became the second highest ranked Greek player.
He reached three ATP finals in 2018, winning one title. Tsitsipas became the youngest player to defeat four top ten opponents in a single tournament when runner up at the Canadian Open to Rafael Nadal.
2019 has begun in fine style for Stefanos Tsitsipas as he continues to compete in the Australian Open draw. He takes on Nadal in the semi final on Rod Laver Arena to potentially earn a spot in the final against the winner of Novak Djokovic and Lucas Pouille. Tsitsipas defeated reigning champion Roger Federer in the fourth round in an epic four set encounter.
Good luck Stefanos! Keep fighting for every point. You’ll end up right there at the top soon!
