Exclusive: ‘No mercy for anyone’ – Tsitsipas reveals recollections of facing ‘ruthless’ Nadal

Stefanos Tsitsipas has described Rafael Nadal as “completely ruthless” and showing “no mercy for anyone” as he recalled his memories of facing the 22-time Grand Slam champion.

Tsitsipas and Nadal have met nine times, with the first coming in the 2018 Barcelona Open final.

Tsitsipas was 19 years old and was dismissed in 77 minutes as Nadal won 6-2 6-1 to lift the trophy for an 11th time.

A year earlier the court they were playing on in Barcelona had been named after Nadal.

Asked about his recollections of facing Nadal, Tsitsipas told Eurosport: “He is ruthless, has no mercy for anyone.

“I felt that for the first time when I played him in Barcelona and he was completely ruthless.

“I remember his energy after the coin toss. It just felt like the stadium belongs to him and I haven’t felt that with a lot of tennis players that I’ve played and it’s really intimidating in a way.

“As a youngster, you’re not used to this feeling when you’re facing someone. So it was definitely something that I still carry with me mentally – I remember that feeling.

“It took a while to get used to his ball to get used to also forget who is on the other side of the net. Because of course, I grew up watching him. I even had a poster in my room of him.

“So it’s difficult in the beginning. You’re like, he’s my childhood hero.

“It took a few times to get over it, and eventually I did get an amazing win against him in Madrid [in 2019], which I still remember vividly and it brings back a sense of a great accomplishment.

“I would definitely consider that one of my best wins against him. And I do have a lot of respect for him because he has done things that I don’t think any other tennis player has done besides Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

“These are three guys that have really pushed the sport to its limits. It doesn’t go any further and it sometimes shows us that these people are not even human beings in a way.”

It has been a welcome return to form after a below-par 12 months that had seen Tsitsipas drop out of the top 10 for the first time in five years.

“The goal is to keep a positive mindset and to just continue working hard every day,” said Tsitsipas, who is now at No. 7 in the rankings.

“I’m not going to think too much of myself cause we’re just getting started. We’ve only played two tournaments so far on clay and I want to do big things here as well, and in Rome. I really hope I can go for a far in these tournaments.

“Just let’s continue building on the mindset and getting step by step to the desired goals and the achievements that I want to pretty much outperform myself in a way.”

Reflecting on his improvements over the last few months, he said: “I was really committed to just try and get better.

“Now this is a good opportunity and the work continues. I have no desire to stop and to just push further myself. I feel like the comeback has been good.

“I left the top 10 few weeks ago now I’m back and now I really need to push it further because I don’t want to be just in the top 10. I want bigger things than that.

“I want to come back in the top three, I would love to see myself there. But I know that it takes dedication to get back into the top three and not just dedication, the right results.

“I hope by Roland-Garros, this can take place, but of course, hope is not enough. I have to show the work on the court as well.”