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‘Didn’t want to be soft’ – Tennis star emotionally reveals what he told girlfriend after she outperformed him at Grand Slam
Stefanos Tsitsipas was brutally honest about his own shortcomings amid his girlfriend’ Paula Badosa recent success. The tennis couple are both among the best players in the sport but only one has enjoyed life on court as of late. The tennis star has been honest about his own shortcomings Badosa reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open last month in a run that signaled her return to the summit of tennis. The 27-year-old’s comeback comes after falling from world No.2 in 2022 and dropping outside the top 100 due to injuries. Meanwhile, her boyfriend Tsitsipas crashed out in the first round Down Under after losing to American Alex Michelsen. It means the Greek star is still ranked 12th in the world, but has failed to break into the top ten since May 2024, while Badosa herself returned to the top ten in the WTA rankings. Despite losing on day one in Melbourne, Tsitsipas remained in Australia to support his girlfriend and to motivate her as he described it. In an emotional interview with the ATP, the 26-year-old was honest about witnessing the Spaniard’s run to the last-four and how it rekindled his own passion for tennis, as he found himself drawing inspiration from her accomplishments. “With her run I thought, ‘If she can do it, why can’t I?’ That’s how I look at it,” Tsitsipas told the media. “I learned a lot from this process of how to get to a Grand Slam semi-final. I felt privileged that I could give her some small advice to help her en route to the semi-finals.” “Her success gives me a lot of motivation. It was really impressive and deserved.” The two-time major finalist has enjoyed a successful career despite not winning a Grand Slam, with three ATP Masters 1000 titles under his belt while being a former world No.3 With 11 titles in total and the $33.3 million he has earned in his nine-years on tour, Tsitsipas opened up about his desire to return to similar success and Badosa’s impact on his motivation. The couple have played mixed doubles together at recent Slams Tsitsipas was knocked out in round one of the Australian Open “We had serious conversations during her run,” Tsitsipas said. “I was being strict with her as I didn’t want to be too soft. Because in this sort of circumstance, she’s learned to play her own way. “But I feel there’s so much potential in her that she can extract from her game and use that to spread even more of her tennis identity better inside the court.” The Greek star now has an opportunity to demonstrate his seriousness as he competes in the well-respected ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam. where he was awarded a wildcard. “I have had a good time off and I am really prepared now. I feel I’m fresh,” the world No.12 said ahead of the tournament. Tsitsipas is currently in the round of 16 at the event after winning his first-round match against Harold Mayot.
Stefanos Tsitsipas was brutally honest about his own shortcomings amid his girlfriend’ Paula Badosa recent success.
The tennis couple are both among the best players in the sport but only one has enjoyed life on court as of late.
Badosa reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open last month in a run that signaled her return to the summit of tennis.
The 27-year-old’s comeback comes after falling from world No.2 in 2022 and dropping outside the top 100 due to injuries.
Meanwhile, her boyfriend Tsitsipas crashed out in the first round Down Under after losing to American Alex Michelsen.
It means the Greek star is still ranked 12th in the world, but has failed to break into the top ten since May 2024, while Badosa herself returned to the top ten in the WTA rankings.
Despite losing on day one in Melbourne, Tsitsipas remained in Australia to support his girlfriend and to motivate her as he described it.
In an emotional interview with the ATP, the 26-year-old was honest about witnessing the Spaniard’s run to the last-four and how it rekindled his own passion for tennis, as he found himself drawing inspiration from her accomplishments.
“With her run I thought, ‘If she can do it, why can’t I?’ That’s how I look at it,” Tsitsipas told the media.
“I learned a lot from this process of how to get to a Grand Slam semi-final. I felt privileged that I could give her some small advice to help her en route to the semi-finals.”
“Her success gives me a lot of motivation. It was really impressive and deserved.”
The two-time major finalist has enjoyed a successful career despite not winning a Grand Slam, with three ATP Masters 1000 titles under his belt while being a former world No.3
With 11 titles in total and the $33.3 million he has earned in his nine-years on tour, Tsitsipas opened up about his desire to return to similar success and Badosa’s impact on his motivation.
“We had serious conversations during her run,” Tsitsipas said. “I was being strict with her as I didn’t want to be too soft. Because in this sort of circumstance, she’s learned to play her own way.
“But I feel there’s so much potential in her that she can extract from her game and use that to spread even more of her tennis identity better inside the court.”
The Greek star now has an opportunity to demonstrate his seriousness as he competes in the well-respected ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam. where he was awarded a wildcard.
“I have had a good time off and I am really prepared now. I feel I’m fresh,” the world No.12 said ahead of the tournament.
Tsitsipas is currently in the round of 16 at the event after winning his first-round match against Harold Mayot.
