INTERNAZIONALI BNL D'ITALIA

May 14, 2022

Stafanos Tsitsipas

Press Conference

S. TSITSIPAS/A. Zverev

4-6, 6-3, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Questions for Stefanos.

Q. What was the key for you to win this one? Classic on clay. What was the key?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Battle of the serves. Battle of being able to take that first shot after the serve and really put quite a lot of pressure to it, which I think I was able to do really well in the third set.

I was able to return a few on the third a bit more than him, get the ball in play, stay in those rallies, not give away much. I think at some point I saw he was a little bit impatient, went for a few, and didn't succeed in his effort.

I was really trying to stay there as long as possible and make every single one count.

Q. When he's standing so far behind the baseline during a lot of rallies, how do you keep your balance between being aggressive and not making too many errors?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: It's something that I've been trying to do. He serves really fast. I mean, you can see that on the speedometer. Trying to get those balls back in play.

Obviously there's many more in terms of creativity -- there are much more players that can get creative with that first shot of mine from that far back. With Carlos Alcaraz, for example, played him, there's a lot of things I can do from up there, back there, from my side.

I think if their return is deep, you can really do a lot with the next ball. That is my main focus when I'm returning. If I'm really starting to get warmed up and get into the match, I feel like my shots are there.

I have a visual memory of how he hit the previous one, and that helps me a lot with my shot execution when I play the rallies.

Q. Thinking about you and Nole on clay, you have to remember the two matches you played in Roland Garros. You lost twice in five sets, different matches. Can you remember what happened there? What will be tomorrow? Difference two of three and three of five. How do you take the past to the future?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: There are many lessons from all the matches that I've played with these players. Obviously they are very complete players. The margin is very small when you're playing against them. You have to fill it up as much as you can.

When it comes to precision, when it comes to decision making, shot selection, there are a lot of factors that determine how you're going to do against them.

I've looked back to those matches. I've analyzed them. There are things that didn't work for me after two sets to love up in Roland Garros. I guess I was always pretty stubborn, didn't want to change, because so far it was working for me, the thing that led me to being two sets to love up.

There's always one more match where I can perhaps maybe do something different.

Q. What does it mean to be in a final in Rome? Does it make any difference to be in a final in Rome, Madrid or Monte-Carlo? They all the same or for you they make a little difference? Which could be that difference? You said battle of serves, but I think you have a more complete game. When you come to the net, you make almost always the point. Zverev doesn't. This is my idea. You didn't serve so well in the first set, and you started to serve much better second or third. I want to know if you agree or not.

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Starting with the second or first question (smiling)?

Q. Both.

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Okay.

Yeah, well, my serve was not really there in the first set. When I adjusted my position a little bit, things tended to go better.

In regards of Masters glory, yeah, the effect is the same whether that's in Madrid or in Rome or Monte-Carlo. I mean, there are certain places that have a, let's say, more intimate place in your heart. For me Monte-Carlo has been the very first club that I visited as a kid when I started touring in the south of France to play local French tournaments. I remember that was the first club that I went to. Then I saw my mom's name engraved on the plaque. That's a very vivid memory that I have.

But Rome is closest to my country. It almost feels like it could have been in Athens, it could have been held in Athens. I'm glad that I get people to visit me from are the motherland -- from the fatherland to see me play here (smiling).

Q. You were in Galatina playing for Italian tennis club. Did you learn any Italian?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: I learned a little bit, and I actually know a few sentences. I can understand most of the things people are saying.

I'm a little bit shy in some ways. But they were very, very nice people in Galatina that took great care of me and my father. I was playing there when I was 13, 14, before I started with the challenger tour.

But in terms of my favorite Italian quote of all times is 'una faccia, una razza', which it's true.

Q. The watering of the courts seems to be more accurate?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Which?

Q. The water on the court, do you think it's a good thing or is it more often?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: The water is quite often, no?

Q. A lot more, I guess, than usual, than before.

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: It's pretty dry out there. Have you seen how it is?

Q. Yes.

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: It makes also for better tennis, I think. If there are too many marks, too much going on on the court, it is also distracting for the eye when you're playing.

It's nicer to start every single time on a clean court. I think it contributes to better tennis. It contributes to better feelings for the players when they're out there doing their job.

I like it when it's clean and wet.

Q. What is the meaning of your message on the camera lens?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: I didn't hear the second half.

Q. What is the meaning of your message on the camera lens?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: See Mr. Rothenberg over there.

Pink crab, I don't know. Are they meant to be pink, the crabs? No, they're pretty orange-y.

Let's just give you a new nickname, pink crab? Is that okay with you?

BEN ROTHENBERG: I don't mind.

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Sure (smiling).