Two dishes dedicated to Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari, “The Stef Gyro” and “The Sakkari snack pack”, will be available at Melbourne Park in Melbourne throughout the Australian Open, with proceeds to using the Greek love in Melbourne to help disadvantaged kids play tennis.
These two dishes are sold at the pop-up shop “Hella Good”, which is located at the premises of the Australian Open and cooperates with the well-known restaurant “Stalactites”, which created the famous “Tsitsipas Souvlaki”, which also had a charitable character.
Speaking with reporters on Saturday 14 outside the Hella Good pop-up opposite Margaret Court Arena, the two pros highlighted the importance of giving back to the community. Without who’s support, they couldn’t have gotten where they are today.
“I am very proud to partner again with the Stalactites team and help causes we both feel passionate about. It’s exciting to once create my souvlaki and raise funds for a cause so close to my heart,” Tsitsipas says.
“Being in Melbourne for the Australian Open is always so exciting, and this year working with Hella Good to give back to the Australian Tennis Foundation is something I’m very proud to be part of,” Sakkari said.
When I walk in the streets, I keep hearing Greek. Sometimes it makes me think I should watch what I say! The most fantastic thing for us is the support of the people from the first moment. We are honoured to experience this every time we play here.”
Tsitsipas and Sakkari, who arrived in the country less than a month ago to participate in the inaugural United Cup, say, as always, they’ve been having a wonderful time down under as they’ve travelled across the country.
Proceeds from sales of ‘The Stef gyro’ and ‘The Sakkari Snack Pack’ are being donated to the Australian Tennis Foundation in an initiative designed to provide young kids from disadvantaged backgrounds with the means to dive head first into their love of the sport.
Sakkari, the 27-year-old superstar from Greece, will enter her eighth consecutive Australian Open when the tournament gets underway on Monday.
Currently listed just outside the top 10 on betting markets to be the last woman standing, it’s her countryman, Stefanos Tsitsipas, that she believes could become the first player from Greece to hold a Grand Slam trophy aloft.
“I would be very happy for Stefanos because he deserves it. He has been in the top 10 for the past few years from a very young age,” she said.
“We got to spend time together on the court the past few weeks at the United Cup, he’s playing unbelievably, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he does win this Grand Slam because his level is the best I’ve seen him play.
“But it would be amazing if we could win at the same time. It would be like Euro 2004 when Greece won. It’s going to be very big for the country.”
