By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday November 2, 2020
Stefanos Tsitsipas spent some quality time with NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo last month, and the 22-year-old World No.5 says the experience was a rewarding and enriching one.
“I had a really good time with Giannis, and once again, I understood how humble and what a nice guy he is,” Tsitsipas told reporters in Paris, where he is preparing to face Ugo Humbert in second-round action at the Rolex Paris Masters.
Tsitsipas is a curious individual, and he said he was happy to open himself to the 25-year-old Milwaukee Bucks superstar, who is a two-time MVP and one-time Defensive Player of the Year.
“I think there was plenty for me to learn from him, and the fact that we are both playing different sports at such high level kind of—we have a lot of things that we relate, and I was very happy to talk with him and discuss about, he differences of our sport, about work ethics, and just basically our lives.
“I had a very good time with him. I met his wife, I met his little son that was born few months ago. Overall, it was a great experience.”
Tsitsipas, like Antetokounmpo, is a trailblazer for his country. He is the first Greek player to ever reach a Top 5 ranking or a Grand Slam semifinal. He's also the first Greek to play at - and win - the prestigious Nitto ATP Finals. Antetokounmpo is the first player from Europe to be selected as an NBA MVP more than once.
In addition to their supreme athleticism, Tsitsipas and Antetokounmpo are both relaxed, easy going and big-hearted people. It's no wonder that they get on so well.
Tsitsipas told reporters he also discussed the art of training smarter, not harder, with Antetokounmpo.
“That was also something we discussed with Giannis once I was in Greece having my vacation,” he said. “How sometimes there comes a moment where you feel like you're reaching your limits, but then there are certain things where you kind of do things wiser and you don't over train.”
Tsitsipas says he is learning to improve elements of his game that aren’t necessarily related to strokes, tactics or techniques, like his composure on court.
“Little things like this that [do] not necessarily make you elevate your game, because for sure there is a maximum at some point,” he said. “I think this year my attitude has improved a lot. And also, my tranquility and how calm I am on the court have given me a lot of matches and also a lot of confidence in believing in myself when tough situations show up in the match.”