#NextGenATP Stefanos Tsitsipas speaks exclusively to ATPWorldTour.com about his life on the road and his desire to inspire a generation of Greek tennis players. The statement on Stefanos Tsitsipas’ website is clear: “Tennis is my life. I breathe tennis!” His lifestyle of travel, graft and dedication has seen the 18 year old rocket from outside the Top 1,000 of the Emirates ATP Rankings in August 2015 to his current position of No. 201. “In Athens it is not as well organised as at the academy and there aren’t too many at my level to train with. But I hope to inspire,” Tsitsipas told ATPWorldTour.com from the sun of Sardinia, Italy, at the Santa Margherita di Pula. “Many people are playing...
Undefeated Aljaz Bedene is experiencing a hot-streak of results on the ATP Challenger Tour in 2017, prevailing past all 15 opponents in his path. On Sunday the Brit maintained his success by clinching the Open Citta Della Disfida in Barletta, Italy, for his tour-leading third Challenger trophy of 2017. The 7-6(4), 6-3 triumph over top seed Gastao Elias backed up his Verrazzano Open title win in France last weekend and improved his impressive record to 14-2 in Challenger finals. “I am really pleased with the way I played the last two weeks. I have worked hard to get here,” said Bedene. “I stick to my game plan every match, my level of tennis has been consistent this year and I am...
World No. 2 Novak Djokovic is a proud Serbian, but the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters is essentially a home tournament for him. The second seed at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event will play Gilles Simon in his opening match. Djokovic is quite familiar with this tournament, making his 11th appearance. Monte-Carlo holds a soft spot for the Serbian after winning here twice (2013, 2015) and also finishing runner-up twice (2009, 2012). But after living in Monte-Carlo for more than seven years and even opening up a restaurant in the city, he’s relishing the comforts of home as he competes. “It’s great to be in a place where I spend the most time when I’m not traveling. This is where...
First moment I realised I loved tennis I don’t have a specific memory of when I was younger, but I’ve obviously played it my whole my life and have really enjoyed it almost every time I’ve stepped out on the court. It’s a privilege and a passion for me, so I just feel gratitude to be able to play this sport as much as I can. First tournament I played It was at Ridgeline Country Club in Orange, Calif. I was about five or six years old. I couldn’t tell you how I did, but I’m sure my parents could and that there’s some funny footage of it floating around their house. First professional tennis match I ever watched In...
World No. 1 Andy Murray paid a visit to Le Louis XV, the world-famous restaurant at l'Hôtel de Paris in Monte-Carlo on Saturday night. Murray was joined at the three Michelin star restaurant by his coach Jamie Delgado, fitness trainer Matt Little and physio Mark Bender. "It's supposed to be one of the best restaurants in the world," said Murray. "We're playing in one of the most beautiful cities on the tour and I've had a few good runs here over the years, but it’s the one [ATP World Tour] Masters 1000 final that I haven't reached. So I'd love to do that this year.” Murray has reached the semi-finals of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters in 2009, 2011 and 2016...