Tsitsipas names ‘humble’ NBA star he admires, says ‘certain tennis players’ develop ‘egos’
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Stefanos Tsitsipas has suggested “certain tennis players” could learn how to be more “humble” from the example set by NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo.Speaking about the dynamics of elite players all sharing a locker room following his Australian Open first-round victory over Shintaro Mochizuki, Tsitsipas said there is generally a good feeling among the players.
The Greek, though, said “certain players” are too “attached to their results”, which can culminate in some having “an attitude and a bit of an ego”.
“We don’t have a lot of situations like that,” Tsitsipas said when asked if there is ever any awkwardness among the players. “I feel like everyone is cool with everyone.
“Obviously, there are players that it’s harder to get a ‘hi’ from when you pass them.
“I was having a conversation with my fitness coach today and, you know, one thing I don’t understand about certain tennis players is how they develop a bit of an attitude and a bit of an ego once they make one or two good results.
Tsitsipas ‘locked in’ to deliver ‘great level of tennis’ in Aus Open first round
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“Their whole personality kind of changes. I wouldn’t say arrogant. Perhaps some of them.”
Tsitsipas went on to highlight two-time NBA MVP Antetokounmpo as an example of an elite athlete who is “humble”, and said he wishes more tennis players led by his example.
“I just wish more tennis players weren’t attached to their results and to what they do that determines who they are,” Tsitsipas said.
“I love humble people. That’s one of the reasons I actually admire a lot Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“He’s achieved so much through basketball. He’s one of the most humble athletes I’ve ever met and spent time with. I wish more tennis players were like that.
“I’m not saying tennis players are arrogant, I’m just saying there are a few instances of tennis players here and there that, you know, you will try and say hi to them, I’m not asking to like have a conversation with that particular player, but it will be nice when you cross someone, at least say ‘hi’.
“I’ve realised certain people are just not at the same frequency, that’s all. I just wish it was more normal on the tour to be like that.”
Former world No. 3 Tsitsipas is the 31st seed at this year’s Australian Open, following a frustrating 2025 campaign in which he previously said made him consider retiring.
But signs for the new campaign were positive after he came from a set behind to dismiss Mochizuki in the first round in Melbourne, setting up an enticing second-round clash against fellow seed Tomas Machac.
Tsitsipas explained the changes he made after the challenging first set.
“I felt like I was just swinging so hard and nothing was really coming out of my racquet,” the 27-year-old said. “So I felt like I was spending more energy than him. He seemed more effortless in the way he was trying to build the points and come up with good shots.
Monfils and Fritz star in best shots from Day 3 of Australian Open
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“I felt like I was constantly swinging, swinging, swinging. I had a lot of unforced errors at the net, more than I’m used to. So it was a question of how do I manage and how do I stream my energy better knowing when to attack, and also allowing myself to not have every muscle of my body contracted every single time I’m trying to hit.
“So it did help, the thing I just mentioned. It helped. Eased up my shots a little bit. It gave me a bit of free depth. I didn’t have to swing as hard. So I did find a lot of help there.
“My mind’s also changed. I felt like the more the match progresses, the more you get to play points, the more you read the game, the more you start becoming acclimatised to the shot-making and angles that come your way.”
Tsitsipas, who has never clinched a major title, reached the Australian Open final three years ago, where he lost to Novak Djokovic in straight sets.
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