Sport / Tennis

Lockdown good for the environment claims Tsitsipas

During an interview, the world number six pointed out the benefits that the period of extended isolation has had towards nature’s well being

The Greek Consul in Melbourne Dimitrios Michalopoulos offers Stefanos and his father and coach Apostolos Tsitsipas a book about his idol John McEnroe during the event that was held at the Greek Community Centre at the start of the year. Photo: Kostas Deves

22 May 2020 2:29pm

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The extended measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have forced Stefanos Tsitsipas to stay away from the courts for a long period of time.

Yet the 21-year-old seems to be looking at the bigger picture, as pointed out during a recent interview for popular network Eurosport. “I actually think they should put us in lockdown once a year – it’s good for nature, it’s good for our planet,” said the world number six.

“I think it will be environmentally very beneficial. Life is such a hustle, and you never get the time to spend with your family and connect with them.

“Now it’s an opportunity to do so. It takes me back to when I was a young kid and I didn’t travel so much then.”

Tsitsipas has now begun training once again, but with the next tournament in sight not being until August, he mentioned it can sometimes be difficult to keep up the effort with no real target.

“I practise every day, of course I don’t put 100 per cent in but at the same time I’m planning on gradually getting better,” the 21-year-old said.

“It’s a process, it’s tricky – you have so much time in front of you and you don’t know when things are going to get back to normal. Right now, I am taking it easy, I’m not pushing myself to the limit and I’m not resting.

“There is a good contrast in between the two.”