Stefanos Tsitsipas, the Greek tennis sensation, has garnered attention not only for his talent on the court but also for his philosophical bent of mind. His deep interest in philosophy shapes both his life and approach to tennis, evident in his social media posts and interviews that delve into topics beyond the sport.
BBC labels Stefanos Tsitsipas as the “last Greek philosopher”
The BBC, in a satirical piece, labeled Tsitsipas as the “last Greek philosopher,” playfully highlighting his unconventional remarks and philosophies. It said, “Pythagoras, Plato, Socrates…Tsitsipas: The last in the long list of Greek philosophers.” From insights on hair care to deep observations, Tsitsipas’ unique perspective has stirred discussions beyond the game of tennis.
Tsitsipas philosophical inclinations
Stefanos Tsitsipas, acknowledging his philosophical inclinations, once remarked, “I am philosophical, I come from a country with a history of philosophy, and I don’t know if I was Pythagoras or Socrates in my previous life, but I wouldn’t mind being either one.”
🗣 Stefanos Tsitsipas : “I am philosophical, I come from a country with a history of philosophy and I don’t know if I was Pythagoras or Socrates in my previous life, but I wouldn’t mind being either one.” 🏺🇬🇷
Via @BehindTRacquet pic.twitter.com/oBKgSRtaFV
— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) July 31, 2020
In a recent revelation, Tsitsipas delved into his evolving mental side, “I do have the mental calmness of a veteran, and I feel that changing. This morning, I was actually reflecting on how much I have personally changed, ” reflecting on personal growth, both in his life and tennis.
Stefanos Tsitsipas finds spirituality on the clay courts
Tsitsipas finds a spiritual connection with the clay courts of tennis. Reflecting on the routine of cleaning and watering the courts between sets, he likens it to a “cleansing of the soul” and describes the experience as a spiritual encounter. For Tsitsipas, the clay court is not just a playing surface, it’s a place where the messy lines and footmarks depict the human effort of hard work on one’s life.
After securing his 20th win on the clay courts of Roland Garros he further said, “It’s a great feeling when you step out on a newly made clay court that is clean…It makes for a very pleasing visual experience. But there’s also beauty when the courts are dirty and messed up and you can see all of the footwork and effort…of how much work has been put…It’s a spiritual type of surface…”
His reflections on the game of tennis
Tsitsipas extends his philosophical outlook to the game itself. He sees tennis as a constant quest to figure out one’s strengths, navigate challenges to become a better person, and find joy in the process. His reflection on the game of tennis is akin to a mountain challenge that he needs to overcome.
He says, “There are moments where it feels like a mountain, and I have been through that, and I have had phases in my career where it felt like a giant mountain. There are other phases of my career where it just felt so effortless and so simplified and easy that it’s just a joy to be playing the game and to be trying to figure it out because that’s what it is, tennis is just trying to figure it out, what works best for you…”
ChatGPT controversy questioned his spiritual self
Tsitsipas, known for sharing inspiring quotes on social media X, faced accusations of using ChatGPT for a message to congratulate Djokovic after he won the French Open this year. The message evoked strong reactions from the fans.
@DjokerNole, you’ve touched our hearts with your unwavering spirit and strong determination. Your ability to bounce back from challenges has become a symbol of hope for fans around the world. Thank you for showing us that with hard work and passion, dreams can become a reality.
— Stefanos Tsitsipas (@steftsitsipas) June 12, 2023
His post received ChatGPT accusations from many people.
What prompt did you use?
— Yoav Rimon (@yoavrimon) June 12, 2023
What prompt did you use?
— Yoav Rimon (@yoavrimon) June 12, 2023
However, it was never addressed by the Greek player. Although the message might seem AI-generated to some, it can’t be denied that Tsitsipas has a real-life inclination towards philosophy and he likes to convey his messages in that way.
His “philosophical” messages sometimes evoke mixed reactions
His recent tweet about cars and gas sparked mixed reactions, with some questioning his attempt to appear “relatable” to the common man while being an elite tennis player. The controversy adds another layer to Tsitsipas’ philosophies which might not be understood from a tennis fan’s perspective.
On X (formerly known as Twitter), he wrote in a now-deleted tweet, “Remember when we used to be excited about getting a new car? Now we’re excited when the gas light doesn’t turn on immediately after filling up.” One of the tennis fans hit back at him, stating, “Rich guy trying to seem relatable..”
Rich guy trying to seem relatable with problems that never actually happen to him. Nice try
— SnowCastle (@SnowCastle100) July 25, 2023
This is so weird and cringe Stef, come on. You’ve made 26 million and drive a Tesla and an Aston Martin, you don’t need to be concerned about the gas light. @paulabadosa maybe you can help him avoid this
— TennisAlt (@tennisalt) July 25, 2023
Stefanos Tsitsipas isn’t just a tennis star, he’s also a philosopher with some deep and thought-provoking messages for tennis fans. Whether he’s discovering spirituality on the courts or sharing profound observations that stir your mind. Stefanos Tsitsipas remains a fascinating presence on and off the court.