Stefanos Tsitsipas defeated Hubert Hurkacz 2-0 and qualified for the semi-final stage at the Astana Open, but in his remarks after the match against the Pole, he was given the opportunity to talk about football.
"Right now I'm on tour, so there's no time for TV," the 24-year-old said when asked if he watches other sports besides tennis.
"As a child I watched a lot of football, I support AEK because my father also supports the. I also support all Greek teams in European competitions. Since AEK is not as successful in Europe as, say, Olympiacos, I support that team as well," added the Greek tennis star.
Referring to the semi-final with Andrey Rublev on Saturday, Tsitsipas said: “We have played several matches indoors and he is one of the best players in the world in these conditions."
"But I play well too. All players have strengths and weaknesses, I will have to study everything. The main thing is to play your game and then the result will be good."
Tsitsipas also revealed that since Roger Federer was his childhood idol, he approached the Swiss Maestro for a piece of memorabilia.
He said, "Look, Roger was an idol of mine growing up. It would have been wrong not to get something from his last match. He was very nice, and I sleep with it from time to time.”
According to the ATP website, Federer graciously offered Tsitsipas one of the 340-gram Wilson Pro Staff RF97s from his bag. The current world no 6 had also shared a picture of him sleeping with the Roger Federer signed racket.
Mornings in London be like... pic.twitter.com/Qtqf9rLo6m
— Stefanos Tsitsipas (@steftsitsipas) September 28, 2022
Tsitsipas further spoke about carrying the emotions beyond Roger Federer's retirement match.
He said, "I was crying that night. The most surprising thing was how emotional I was the morning after. You would think everything would be let out. But I was in full tears in my breakfast in the morning."
You see all the beautiful moments go by — I think that’s what you take the most when you share Roger’s amazing retirement. I don’t think you could do it any better with his teammates. I wish one day my retirement can be like that.”
Not only did Federer lose the final match of his career but Team Europe also lost the Laver Cup title. Team World broke Team Europe's four-year dominance to claim their maiden Laver Cup trophy. Frances Tiafoe saved four match points to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 1-6, 7-6 (11),10-8 and claim the title.
Federer, who is one of the co-founders of this Laver Cup event, delivered one final speech in which he revealed his availability for the 2023 edition.
The 41-year-old in his speech said, "I had no speech ready, I can say congratulations obviously to Team World. I was very confident going into today but well done Johnny Mac and the rest of the team for playing so well today, you deserve it. Have a nice celebration today like I told you."
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