Stefanos Tsitsipas: “Coronavirus itself and all the changes that are happening, that’s the biggest problem that we are facing right now”

Stefanos Tsitsipas says the mental exhaustion has been unusual amid the health concerns and protocols due to Covid-19, taking into account that the severely depleted tennis calendar in 2020 may have reduced the physical burden on players. Before defending his ATP Finals title in London, Tsitsipas is set to play at the Paris Masters.

According to Stefanos Tsitsipas, the mental exhaustion caused by Covid-19 is proving not the physical challenges but more of a problem for players.

Usually, as the circuit hits the final lap in November after the Asian swing in September-October, fatigue starts to show on players. However, due to the pandemic, all tournaments in the region were cancelled this year.

To contain the spread of coronavirus, the tennis circuit was suspended in March, and only ahead of the US Open in New York restarted in August.

“I feel good. I don’t really have a reason to be exhausted because I have not played that many tournaments this year,”

told world number six Stefanos Tsitsipas to reporters on Sunday ahead of the Paris Masters.

“Virus and all the things that keep showing up and the changes that are happening are for sure, is the part that makes it more tiring than usual. I would say that that’s the biggest problem that we are facing right now.”

The reigning ATP Finals champion recently took a vacation with the NBA’s two-times Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo, his compatriot. Tsitsipas said he had plenty to learn from the Milwaukee Bucks forward. It was an excellent experience for him.

Before the circuit was halted, Tsitsipas, 22, won in Marseille and reached the final in Dubai.

After the renewal of the professional Tour, he reached both the semi-finals at Roland Garros and Hamburg’s final.

“This year, I think my attitude has improved a lot,”

said Tsitsipas.

“How calm I am on the court, and my tranquillity as a whole has given me a lot of matches. And also, when tough situations show up in the match, a lot of confidence in believing in myself.”