Stefanos Tsitsipas views the United Cup as a treatment for the ‘lonely sport’ of tennis

Stefanos Tsitsipas has praised the United Cup idea after the 24-year-old starred for Greece within the inaugural match earlier this month.

“We didn’t prevail and come victorious,” he stated after his nation misplaced to Italy of their semi-final contest. “But it was definitely one of those events that tennis is lacking. Tennis doesn’t have events like this. Tennis is a very individual, lonely sport.”

Tsitsipas revealed how he had been a significant supporter of the idea, which changed the ATP Cup as the primary occasion within the calendar 12 months for tennis, after it was deemed a hit regardless of various stars pulling out on the eve of its graduation.

MORE: Why Stefanos Tsitsipas is well-placed to interrupt grand slam maiden at Australian Open

“I have been talking to the ATP and some other people last year of bringing this event to life,” he stated.

“I’m comfortable they listened to a number of the gamers. One of them was additionally me attempting to push them to make it.

“ATP Cup was a superb occasion, however I felt like bringing the males and the females collectively to create one cup, that is the same as each, would have been a fantastic concept. I loved each minute of it.

“Getting together, sharing these moments, being part of the same cause and the same goal together, was something that makes me grow as a player and makes me want to look forward to the next edition of the United Cup.”

The Greek star claimed he was left confused with a number of the guidelines for the match however was assured that with just a few minor tweaks the United Cup would go from strength-to-strength sooner or later.

“I was not very aware of the format,” Tsitsipas admitted.

“One factor that I discovered somewhat bit, to illustrate, I did not fairly perceive it, was the most effective loser coverage that that they had in place, which I do not know if that is relevant to our sport the place you do not thoughts in the event you lose, and also you by some means nonetheless know you are qualifying to the finals.

“I found that a little bit confusing, that there’s a team that loses and still qualifies to the finals.”

Tsitsipas recommended a discount on the variety of competing nations at subsequent 12 months’s version from 18 all the way down to 16. 

“This is definitely a small thing that can be improved and fixed in the future,” he stated.

“16 [teams] could be a way more ultimate format as a result of everyone knows 16 is a quantity that belongs to tennis.

“The round of 16 is something that has been around for a long time. This is something that I would like to see in the future from the United Cup.”

Yet whereas driving a optimistic wave from his expertise, Tsitsipas’ focus should now swap to extra necessary issues as he makes an attempt to lastly document a breakthrough grand slam victory after persistently climbing the rankings in recent times.

The controversial star, who reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open in 2022, will tackle Quentin Halys within the first spherical at Margaret Court Arena on January 16.