Stefanos Tsitsipas asks his fans to be more respectful during Australian Open matches

·

The number six seed Stefanos Tsitsipas has slammed some of his own supporters after a vocal contingent of Greek fans took their admiration of the 21-year-old too far.

“I really like they come and support me because that gives me a lot of positives in my game. I don’t really know why they want to go the extra mile some of the time,” he said of a group of 40 or so, almost exclusively male, supporters who sang his praises throughout his three set victory over the Italian Salvatore Caruso.

Not all opponents will understand what is going on with the chants he said.

“From their side, they should be a little bit more respectful to the opponents. That’s all. Nothing else. They can do what they’re doing, but probably with more respect.”

It was, he said, an attitude that sprung from football (soccer) and was also a little distracting for him as well as disrespectful to his opponents.

“(It) doesn’t really belong in tennis. It should stay in football, not in the tennis court.”

Tsitsipas’ plea to his fans mirrors world number Rafael Nadal’s thoughts after this month’s ATP Cup final in Sydney where the Spaniard said that some fans do not understand tennis and its conventions.

“They think it’s (like) football and stuff and the atmosphere in tennis is different. The respect for the players should be there and at some points, I think the respect from a small part of the crowd (wasn’t) there,” Nadal said.

Sourced via Herald Sun

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Capturing legacies: The proika exhibition’s emotional tribute to Greek migrants

On Wednesday, November 20, the proika exhibition opened to a crowd of eager guests at the Thematikos x MBO Tailors creative space.

Golden Era Gala: A reunion with a cause to combat brain and rare cancers

White Pearl Foundation and Cquence Foundation have announced the Golden Era Gala to be held at the Hyatt Regency Sydney on November 30.

Melbourne scientist Steven Petratos offers hope to thousands with multiple sclerosis

The image of Steven Petratos’ grandfather, confined to a chair with trembling hands, left an indelible mark on his childhood.

Former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett to launch book on Nick Thyssen’s legacy

Former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett, supporter of Greece and its diaspora, will launch the biography of Nick Thyssen (Nikos Theodosiadis).

Ithacans in Melbourne enjoy sell-out film screening to support archaeological preservation

On Sunday, at Palace Como in Melbourne, a sell-out crowd of 135 Ithacans and friends gathered to see the historical epic, The Return.

You May Also Like

Greek Community Cup to return to Melbourne this month

The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) is once again proud to announce the launch of the 2024 Greek Community Cup.

Insight or Perspective: ‘Children who succeed in the language take part in other cultural activities too’

"What better way to learn the language than to enrol in a Drama class and take part in Greek Theatre," writes Eleni Elefterias.

170 kg of marijuana seized by police at Turkey-Greece border

Turkish customs officers seized 177 kilograms (390 pounds) of marijuana in an anti-narcotics operation at the Greek border.