“I’m Not a Big Football Fan” – Stefanos Tsitsipas

Stefanos Tsitsipas will play in the final of the ATP 250 event Open 13 on Sunday, in Marseille. The World No. 6 will have to clear the final hurdle in the form of Canadian teenager Felix Auger-Aliassime to successfully defend his title. Another huge sporting connection the French city has, is that of soccer. Olympique de Marseille is one of the biggest clubs in France.

No more soccer for Stefanos Tsitsipas

Tsitsipas is the No. 2 seed at the Open 13 event, and he will face the No. 7 seed Auger-Aliassime. This makes for a very interesting match-up, something we have seen thrice before. It is Auger-Aliassime who leads their head to head with 2 wins over Tsitsipas’ 1.

The first two times they played, Felix dismantled Tsitsipas in such a manner, that the Greek was unsure if he would ever beat him.

“It does worry me. It’s upsetting obviously that he’s better than me. I have to accept that he’s better than me. I might never beat him.”

But he did manage to beat the Canadian on his third attempt, at the Shanghai Masters last year. But it was a very tight match, both sets going to the tie break, with just a couple of points deciding the match. Remains to be seen if he can level their rivalry on Sunday.

But it won’t be easy by any means; Felix is in good form right now, having also reached the final of the Rotterdam Open last week.

Marseille is a city that is absolutely nuts about soccer. Olympique de Marseille is a soccer club that is one of the most popular in the country. Naturally, the French media were curious if Stefanos watched soccer.

After his semi final match, the press asked him if he would watch the match between Olympique de Marseille and Nantes.

“I won’t watch the match, I’m not a big football fan. I used to watch football when I was younger when I had more free time. People jump and scream, so I rather be on my own and stay focused”

That is a bit surprising, especially given that he played soccer as a kid and the sport is very big in Greece. But hey, if it helps him stay focused and get ready for the final, who needs soccer?