Stefanos Tsitsipas has called on Brisbane’s Greek community to ‘give us extra strength’

Stefanos Tsitsipas has called on Brisbane’s Greek community to turn out in their droves to the Pat Rafter Arena to give the fledgling tennis nation a boost in its bid in the ATP Cup.

Stefanos Tsitsipas wants Brisbane to feel like home. Picture: AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili

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Stefanos Tsitsipas has called on Brisbane’s Greek community to turn out in their droves to the Pat Rafter Arena to give the fledgling tennis nation a boost in its bid to beat Canada in the ATP Cup.

The reigning ATP Finals champion and world No.6, Tsitsipas is the shining light in a Greek team whose second singles player, Michail Pervolarakis, is ranked 441 in the world.

Tsitsipas, who will meet rising Canadian Denis Shapovalov in the feature singles clash, said crowd support would be crucial.

“I also want to reach out to the great Greek community here in Brisbane to come and watch us play,” he said.

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Stefanos Tsitsipas wants Brisbane to feel like home. Picture: AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili

“I think that will give us extra strength, an extra will to do even better and motivate us to make us feel like we’re playing at home.”

Tsitsipas said Canada’s recent effort to reach the Davis Cup final would give them a “small advantage”.

“They know each other a bit better, but for us we are, in a way … newcomers.

“We can use it as an element of surprise.

“We all play well, I think the differences are in just details.

“I think we just have to surpass our mental strength, be wiser than them and use our strengths.

“To see Greece participate in this event, I think it’s just extraordinary … it’s an opportunity for us to be in the spotlight, for all the players on our team to see how it is to be playing at that level.

Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Queensland Tennis Centre. Picture: AAP/Darren England

“And also, for the people back home … they feel a lot of pride that we participate in this event.”

Individually, Tsitsipas is confident he can continue his fine form of 2019 to this year challenge “super humans” Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.

“They are still there,” the 21-year-old right-hander said.

“They are doing really well.

“For me, it’s very challenging to go out there and compete against them. I feel like there’s something extra to chase after when I play against them, plus I get to learn a lot when I play against them. I feel more of a complete player.

“I kind of compare them to me to see what works for them and what should I work on more, and they’re just super humans in a way.

“But I’m trying to get there myself and I’m going to keep trying to do my best because I feel like I can surpass them, I can be better.

“It’s just a matter of time, patience, and dedication in what I do.”