Stefanos Tsitsipas has seen many big names come and go since he arrived on the ATP Tour.
Tsitsipas is currently in a challenging moment in his career, having won only one of his last five matches.
The Greek has also undergone many changes to his team, with Tsitsipas reappointing his father as coach after parting ways with Goran Ivanisevic.
Tsitsipas is currently on the brink of falling outside the top 30, but when he was more of a force on the ATP Tour in 2022 there was a legendary player who announced his retirement from tennis.
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images for Laver CupStefanos Tsitsipas says Roger Federer’s retirement still ‘triggers’ him
That player was Roger Federer, who retired from tennis at the Laver Cup in London three years ago.
Tsitsipas had played alongside Federer at the Laver Cup before, but 2022 was a completely different experience.
When discussing being present for Federer’s retirement three years later, Tsitsipas told Tennis365 that he never expected to be so emotional about another tennis player.
The two-time Grand Slam finalist also suggested that he is still impacted by Federer’s retirement to this day.
“That was an amazing week. I mean, that was an emotional week” said Tsitsipas. “I cried that night, first of all. I never imagined that I would cry for someone else, but not me in the tennis world.
“So I was really reflective that night of how my dream started, how I looked up to Roger. Then I was there when he was retiring. I knew. So it made me emotional.
“I felt for him and it still triggers me today. He’s my idol, obviously, and to see him go like this, it’s probably the biggest dream come true I could have ever asked for.”
Tsitsipas also got a souvenir from Federer’s retirement, and at the time he posted a picture of him with one of his idol’s rackets from that night.
The 26-year-old still has that racket, and revealed that he would never sell it for any amount of money.
“Do I still have the racket? Of course I still have the racket,” answered Tsitsipas. “I’m not selling for any price! This is a nostalgic possession.”
Stefanos Tsitsipas echoes what he said about Roger Federer in 2022
Both Federer and Tsitsipas have been complimentary about one another throughout the years, even after their matches against one another.
Tsitsipas’ recent comments echo what he said at the Laver Cup in 2022, where he claimed that being there for Federer’s retirement would be one of the biggest highlights of his life.
“I have said it that it’s such a privilege to be here for the last dance. I have worked hard to be sitting right next to them,” Tsitsipas said in his press conference at the 2022 Laver Cup. “I have sacrificed a lot, and I’m super proud that I’m able to share this by their side with Bjorn Borg, having Mr. Rod Laver to be here to watch us perform and play.
“This is the ultimate that you could ever ask, you know. We have so many great champions, literally the biggest gladiators that tennis has ever seen ever. Not even in this era. Ever.
“For me to be here and be kind of a big part of it is something that will definitely remain unforgettable, a big piece of, let’s say, a big highlight of my life and something that I will definitely be able to recall for many years to come.”
While Tsitsipas often looked up to Federer, he also beat the 20-time Grand Slam champion twice in their four meetings on the ATP Tour.
He also got the opportunity to play doubles with his idol at the Laver Cup in 2019.