Tsitsipas Feels Spirituality On Clay

It’s a different tennis experience to play on red clay compared to hard court, carpet and grass and world no. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas describes the process in his own original terms.

“It’s a cleansing of the soul,” said the former 2021 Roland Garros finalist and semifinalist. “It’s just like a knife. You let the old pass and you start with the new… It’s a great feeling when you step out on a newly made clay court that is clean. All the lines are perfect. It makes for a very pleasing visual experience… But there’s also beauty on when the courts are dirty and messed up and you can see all of the footwork and effort that has been put in and you have a visual of that, of how much work has been put in in order for you to succeed in what you do. It’s a spiritual type of surface.”

The 24 year old is a sincere analyst about the challenges of the sport he adores.

“Tennis can be very complicated for some, especially people that see more of the glass empty rather than the glass full. It’s a mindset. There are moments where it feels like a mountain, and I have been through that, and I have had phases in my career where it felt like a giant mountain. There are other phases of my career where it just felt so effortless and so simplified and easy that it’s just a joy to be playing the game. Tennis is just trying to figure it out – what works best for you, where your strengths are, how can you pull through when difficult circumstances or moments come about.”

The student of the sport is gradually completing his education to become a grand master of the court.

“I think if you’re a player that can perform big on pressure moments, that is the thing that is going to just give you a good career in tennis. There are a few guys that can play good under pressure, especially in big, tight moments, and you have to have the mental strength of a Navy SEAL to pull it through. You have to have the physique, the lungs of a marathon runner. You have to have the power of a football player. There are just so many little components that you have to link up in order to make this unbelievable player where you allow yourself to be unstoppable.”

The two-time Grand Slam finalist Tsitsipas has reached the third round of 2023 Roland Garros by defeating Jiri Vesely in four sets and Roberto Carballes Baena in three sets.

Tsitsipas will face the winner of Nuno Borgues and Diego Schwartzman on Friday.

adidas · Roland Garros · Stefanos Tsitsipas · Wilson tennis

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