Stefanos Tsitsipas on ‘the greatest happiness’ despite Greece’s United Cup exit | ATP tour | Tennis

Match response

Pain-free and perfect in Perth: Tsitsipas on ‘the greatest bliss’ despite Greece’s departure

Former world number 3 finished 3-0 in the singles at the United Cup, including a win vs. Fritz
January 7, 2026

The United Cup is over for Team Greece this year, but Stefanos Tsitsipas is hopeful that the 2026 edition of the mixed team event will be the start of something new in his career.

The 27-year-old ATP Tour star finished with a 3-0 record for his country at the RAC Arena in Perth, where he defeated Team USA’s Taylor Fritz 6-4, 7-5 on Wednesday for his first Top 10 win in more than 18 months. Despite the Americans leveling the tie with a decisive triumph in the mixed doubles at the RAC Arena, Tsitsipas was happy to look back on the positives after improving Fritz to 4-2 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

“Happy with the win. It wasn’t easy going into the match. I’ve been away for a long time and matches like this challenge you to the fullest,” Tsitsipas, who had not played a competitive match since September due to a back injury before arriving in Perth, told ATPTour.com. “I feel like you are really tested in the most brutal and intense ways against players who have been very consistent over the last few months. Taylor is one of them. When I stepped onto the field I was aware that my focus had to be on the highest level.”

“I couldn’t allow myself to disconnect at any point during the match, and I did a great job of that. My focus level was there. I tried to read the game, tried to read the court and see what patterns he was going to build and like a little more. I tried to stay away from that and played my game. Very attacking tennis. I dominated from the baseline at times. I felt like I was pretty solid in those rally changes. I’m very happy with my performance. It’s one of those wins that my increase self-confidence.”

Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari were unable to beat Coco Gauff and Christian Harrison in the mixed doubles as Greece missed out on a place in the semi-finals in Sydney. Still, twelve-time ATP Tour champion Tsitsipas thinks that both he and his compatriot would take a lot away from the meeting.

“I spoke with Maria. I am very proud of her, she did an excellent job. I am happy that I could share the court with her,” said the number 34 in the PIF ATP Rankings. “We are building a great duo, her and I. I feel like with every doubles match we play, we come to new insights about our games. We fit together very well, and I feel like with every match we’ve played, we’ve always gotten feedback and always understood how our games can work together even better.

“Obviously it sucks to lose today and not get that win to go to Sydney, but I see that as a bigger opportunity to grow from it, use it in a positive way and hopefully come back hungry next year.”

Tsitsipas, who revealed he hoped to play the Adelaide International before heading to Melbourne for the Australian Open, was also delighted with the way his body had held up during three singles matches and two mixed doubles in Perth.

“So far everything is good,” said the 2023 Australian Open finalist when asked how he was feeling physically. “It’s great feedback, because I know things like that, know that I don’t feel any aches or pains. I’m actually very happy that I can enjoy tennis every day, without any discomfort and pain that could cause me more stress in everyday life… I’m super happy that I get to play the sport that I love. Health is the most important thing in the world. I really enjoy every match that I can play without pain.”

“I haven’t had that for a while, so to be able to play like that creates happiness and satisfaction and makes me want to start training again. Especially when you have to deal with so much pain, especially in the lower back, you quickly get discouraged if you see yourself in the same situation a few times. Training doesn’t become that much fun anymore. To be able to do that now is the greatest happiness.”