With professional tennis currently on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic, world No. 6 Stefanos Tsitsipas opens up on the impact of life without tennis, expanding his horizons in the meantime, and what he’s doing to keep in shape while away from the courts in our Q&A session. 

 

What is the psychological impact of the current situation on you and how are you managing it?

Well of course it does have an impact. It all seems like a big break – and we don’t really know how long this break is going to last. I do miss competing and playing. I can’t wait to be back on the tennis court because competition keeps me alive – it keeps me going every single day. I’m really looking forward to my next tournament. I hope it’s not a long way from now. I hope this whole thing lasts as little time as possible. I’m trying to stay in shape. It does have an affect I would say. Time seems to be running pretty slow!

Is it challenging to keep match-fit without necessarily knowing when your next match might be?

For sure. I’m trying to stay active. I’m trying to go outside, get a work out, get a run and keep my body in shape. That’s something that’s really challenging right now – trying not to get lazy and do nothing. It’s quite tricky. You don’t want to gain more weight, you don’t want to lose muscle and flexibility. All of that is crucially important for you to maintain your good shape. You always have to find solutions and ways to maintain your body and be mentally and physically fit.  

How are you training at the moment? Do you have a routine?

Right now, I’m training one time a day. I do mostly fitness. I haven’t played any tennis so far - only a couple of days ago, before the announcement to stay home. Right now I’m mainly focussing on going out for a jog, for a run, and doing some explosive exercises and cardio workouts. I’m not doing so much heavy lifting – mostly coordination and that sort of stuff.

Have you had to come up with any new training methods or novel ideas to maintain your fitness?

Again, I try to get my workouts indoors as much as possible and towards the middle of the day I try and go out. It’s not good for you to stay inside all day long! You need some fresh air… also for your skin! I’ve been turning quite pale the last couple of days, so I need some sunlight and also the rejuvenation of just going outside, breathing the fresh air and connecting with nature.

Has your nutrition plan or approach to eating changed?

I tried cooking the first couple of days, but now I’ve got bored of it! I mostly get takeaways from restaurants. I’m avoiding junk food and getting good meals in. I’m eating good, hydrating and nutritious foods that are going to keep me in shape, and lots of organic foods that are good for me.

Are there any silver linings to be found in this situation? Is it a chance to re-set and re-fresh? Be away from tennis for a bit and come back hungrier?

I don’t really know. I was in pretty good shape before the suspension [of the Tour], so it’s tough for me to say. It’s probably an opportunity for me to learn something new, learn a new language, focus on other things that I’ve always wanted to improve about me as an individual, as a person. I can learn new things – it doesn’t have to be a new language - but I can become a better version of myself by doing something creative and fresh every single day. Something that’s going to educate me and give me knowledge beyond just tennis.

Keen to learn something new each day like Tsitsipas? We can help! The ITF is making more resources on its ITF Academy platform available for free for the duration of this period of imposed shutdown.

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