Reterdeen Staff
There is a new fever catching all tennis fans around the world right now. And it has only one name – Stefanos Tsitsipas (pronounced with both ‘Ts’ silent)
This rising tennis sensation has taken over the first tennis grand slam tournament of the year, the Australian Open, by going on an incredible run to the tournament’s semifinals. The young Greek roared into the last four by completing a quarterfinal win over the man who knocked out Andy Murray, Spaniard Bautista Agut, and an incredible fourth round win over defending champion and his idol, Roger Federer.
😱 🇬🇷 20 year old Stefanos Tsitsipas has beaten Roger Federer in 4 sets, 6-7, 7-6, 7-5, 7-6
He reaches his first Grand Slam quarter-final and becomes the first man or woman from Greece to ever do so!
I N C R E D I B L E#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/2iF2EreJKJ
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) January 20, 2019
So what exactly do we know about the man already being rated as the future world number one? Here are 5 facts you should know about the Tennis Star:
- Stefanos Tsitsipas was born in Athens, Greece on 12 August, 1998.
You are your only limit. @adidastennis | #heretocreate pic.twitter.com/4LCdTE2CSt
— Stefanos Tsitsipas (@StefTsitsipas) December 19, 2018
- He is the first Greek man to go beyond the fourth round at a grand slam tournament. He is also the youngest man to reach the last four in 12 years. The last time someone as young as Stefanos is reached the last four was in 2007, when Stefanos was 8 years old.
Stefanos Tsitsipas has done it again at the #AusOpen!
The 20-year-old Greek is the youngest man to reach a Grand Slam semi-final since Novak Djokovic at the 2007 US Open.
Read more 👉 https://t.co/dYJiPkEKEZ #bbctennis pic.twitter.com/GWHg6Qpel2
— BBC Tennis (@bbctennis) January 22, 2019
- He is currently ranked World Number 15 on the ATP Men’s Tennis ranking, at 20 year of age, making him the youngest player in the top 20.
.@StefTsitsipas breaks into the Top 20 at a career-high No. 15 after reaching his first #ATPMasters1000 final at the @rogerscup.
View Latest ATP Rankings: https://t.co/2aLsJ5cVxY pic.twitter.com/f6EWoTubrj
— ATP Tour (@ATP_Tour) August 13, 2018
- He is the first Greek player to win an ATP title. He set this milestone when he won the Stockholm Open Tournament last year.
🇬🇷Stefanos Tsitsipas wins first ATP title in Stockholm! 👏👏👏Congrats!
Greece's 20 year-old Tsitsipas – who rocketed up the rankings to 16th heading into Stockholm – beat Latvia's Ernests Gulbis 6-4 6-4 on Sunday to win Stockholm Open!👉 Read more: https://t.co/05i2r3jW6N pic.twitter.com/GANmdmjUOK
— MediaGovGr (@MediaGovGr) October 22, 2018
- His Idol is Roger Federer. He even changed his shot style to a one-handed backhand because of the Swiss National. He went on to face off and defeat his idol at this tournament’s fourth round.
Stefanos Tsitsipas, 13 years old:
“Favorite idol?”
– Roger Federer
“Where do you see yourself in ten years?”
– I don’t know, but I will do my best to be in the top. pic.twitter.com/Ho4xmuBHYl
— Alex Theodoridis (@AlexTheodorid1s) January 20, 2019
- In his spare time, he is a photographer and a travel vlogger.
Sometimes it makes me really wonder if it’s worth carrying such a big camera while traveling.
Sometimes I feel like quitting my travel vlogs… but I just love creating content so much! #GoodProblemsToHave pic.twitter.com/M54FfatBBn
— Stefanos Tsitsipas (@StefTsitsipas) December 26, 2018
What’s Next for Tsitsipas?
Next for Stefanos is a semifinal match against former champion and World’s Number 1, Rafael Nadal.
Rafa returns… to the #AusOpen semifinals.
The world No.2 def. Frances Tiafoe 6-3 6-4 6-2 to set up a blockbuster showdown with Stefanos Tsitsipas. pic.twitter.com/7ZZfdOu90p
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2019
Can he continue on his great run and make it to the Grand Slam Finals? Let’s watch and see.
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