Apostolos Tsitsipas: “Our thoughts are on Thessaly – Proud to be here again”

With reference to the disasters caused in Thessaly by the recent floods, the Apostle Tsitsipas his statements at the press conference ahead of the Davis Cup matches at the Panathenaic Stadium.

The head of the Greek mission, who is originally from Karditsa, sent his support to those affected, saying: “It is our obligation to hold this event, but we always keep in mind what has happened recently in our country. Our thinking is there and the guys will try to make the matches as humble as possible. We are ready to cope with the demands of the event“, he said characteristically.

Apostolos Tsitsipas also mentioned his absence Stefanou Sakellaridiswho is the No2 Greek athlete behind Stefanos Tsitsipas, stressing that it was his personal decision to be absent.

“I had taken this matter personally, as I had done with all athletes. I had several conversations with the family, with the people who are responsible for his racing schedule. Unfortunately Stefanos competes in Asia and apparently because he was doing well, he decided to extend his racing activity in China. He is on an upswing, we can’t blame him for anything. It’s a personal decision. He is very young, not even 19, so we respect that and wish him the best. In a future Davis Cup he will be with us».

As for… reuniting with his sons, as he was absent from their recent US Open commitments, he commented: “It’s nice to see your kids again on the Davis Cup team. To have come from such a long trip to America and to see your children progressing on their own in this sport that is so demanding. I certainly feel proud that we are here again and will fight together again for our cause. I think everything is going well, we will be ready to enjoy these days. I would say that my soul was near them, my love was there».

For his part, G.G. of the Hellenic Philatelic Tennis Federation, Spyros Zanniasemphasized: “We are of mixed feelings here. The reason is the disasters that happened recently in our homeland and which cost the lives of our fellow citizens, but also lost important properties in a very sensitive region of the country, where Captain Apostolos Tsitsipas also comes from. We cannot celebrate this event as much as we wanted and from this step I want to send a message to the families of all those affected, the victims and the warm condolences of EFOA. At the same time I am obliged to welcome the Slovakian national team».

Regarding the ATP tournament that he had declared that our country would claim, he said: “For several years I have said that Greece is entitled to an ATP tournament, without entering into the process of rents and purchases, of the bargain given that it reopened the dance of the modern Olympic games with huge symbolism. And I had said that something like this should be done at the Panathenaic Stadium. The door has opened and I think we should hope from now on to claim another exemption from the ATP, always with the presence of Stefanos, but also of Petros who is close to the Top 100 and claims with very high chances his entry on the Olympic team. The cooperation of the Athens tennis club allows us to really hope, because it has three outdoor courts, that we will exceptionally be able to organize such a tournament».