Stefanos Tsitsipas says he wants to become No.1 rather than win a Grand Slam

Tsitsipas is currently competing in the Los Cabos Open in Mexico, where he is first seed

Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in action against US John Isner during the third day of the Mifel Tennis Open by Telcel Oppo Los Cabos Tournament, in Mexico. Photo: AAP via EPA / Jorge Reyes

4 August 2023 1:07pm

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World No. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas would rather achieve the highest ATP ranking than win one of the biggest tournaments in tennis.

A two-time Grand Slam runner-up and a highest career ranking of No.3, the 24-year-old says he’d take being ranked No.1 over winning a Grand Slam title.

“I’ll trade (a Grand Slam) for being No 1. It is definitely something special, it is a sign that you have reached the maximum in your career, and I like it when you are able to maximize everything,” he told EL UNIVERSAL Deportes.

“This way, one day I will be able to tell my grandchildren that I have been No 1.”

Earlier this year, Tsitsipas had the chance to earn both milestones when he made the Australian Open final.

However, it wasn’t meant to be, as he fell short to Novak Djokovic, who beat the Greek superstar in straight-sets to take back No.1 ranking and win his 23rd Grand Slam.

After the loss, the nine-time title winner said its time he achieves what Djokovic was able to do.

“It’s my time to aim for something like this. I don’t see any reason to be lowering my expectations or my goals. I am born a champion. I can feel it in my blood. I can feel it as a competitive kid that I was when I was young. It’s something that is within me.”

“I want to harvest that, make it bloom, make it even stronger and fonder, work hard towards those goals. It’s that beautiful number, the number ‘1’, that will make things extremely emotional when converting that.”

Tsitsipas is currently competing in the Los Cabos Open in Mexico, and is top seed in the tournament. Yesterday he defeated American John Isner in straight sets and will today competed against sixth seed Nicolás Jarry.

One player who is not in Mexico is Tsitsipas’ girlfriend Paula Badosa.

Speaking to local media outlet Esto prior to the tournament, the Greek forecast a tougher future on their relationship.

“I miss her so much and I talk to her about it every day…We have a great connection between us. It’s the first time in a long time that we’re not together. Now I realise how much I miss her and how much she misses me too. This is how reality will be if we continue together.”

“This is going to be something frequent and something that we will have to normalise in our lives. I’m getting used to it. There will be more days like this and we are ready. We are mentally prepared for that. Paula changed my life a lot, she brought bright light and hope or the same for her.

“I’ll be completely honest, I’ve never been more excited about the future, both in my private life and in my professional life. I really want to make the most of it. Paula inspires me to be the best version of myself, when I am surrounded by people like her, she helps me a lot in a positive way, she is the type of people that guides me.

“Whether you win or lose. The most important, in my opinion, it is if you become a better and more complete person through it. The victories and the defeats will always be there. There is no person who comes into your life and makes you win all of a sudden.

“I do not believe in that. It’s just staying with the right person and pushing each other to get the most out of their personalities and potential. I don’t feel pressure. Each person has their own time. Some people become president at 60, others at 30.

“Everyone has their moment to shine and that moment will come. For me, I guess it’s still pending and it’s still somewhere. This path is a long journey and you cannot settle for it in the short term. If you commit to tennis, if you commit to that career, you’re ready for the ride.

I am (soon to be) 25 years old and I have to concentrate completely.”