Tsitsipas: “Without a financial background you cannot afford tennis”

The… hard reality, which wants tennis to be an expensive sport in which one must invest not only hours of training, but also a lot of money if he wants to star, analyzed Stefanos Tsitsipas.

“It seemed like a natural progression to follow tennis. I felt privileged to have two parents in the industry. I knew it was a place where I could gain unlimited knowledge because I was always around it. I felt, in a way, like I had an advantage over other kids my age, to be exposed to it more, to be coached by my parents every day and brought closer to this discipline. It is an extremely difficult industry to break into and be a successful athlete. What I have learned is that I must always keep pushing myself to the end“, the 24-year-old tennis player emphasized in an interview with the New York Times.

“There were a lot of financial hurdles — tennis is an individual sport and requires you to pay for everything yourself. If you are not from a background where you can afford it, it is not an easy thing. I have struggled with being away from my family for more than half a year and giving all my attention and focus to tennis. But this also happens, because it’s a dream of mine, I chose it, I chased it, I took the risks“, he added.

On the weight a champion carries he said: “It’s not easy to handle the pressure. I think it’s important to stay relaxed with your body, with your thoughts and not let anxiety or stress get too much into your mind. It has a lot to do with the ability to hold these things and continue your own journey, smoothly and gently, without being in too much of a hurry. There will be times when you get knocked down and have to get back up. Keeping this kind of attitude helps you get a clearer picture of things. The way I approach life, the way I see those values ​​that I want to connect with in life. These are values ​​that are extremely important to have. Otherwise, life will not redeem you. What you give you get back».