Greek sensation Stefanos Tsitsipas reveals how near drowning taught him to fear nothing on a court

How a near-death experience in the Mediterranean Sea taught Stefanos Tsitsipas to fear nothing on the tennis court and give him the inner belief to be aggressive to the very end.

Stefanos Tsitsipas says he was seconds from drowning.

The 22-year-old, who stunned Roger Federer on Sunday night, was swimming in the Mediterranean Sea only six years ago with a friend, when the rough conditions began to suck him under.

DAY 8: FOLLOW RESULTS, SCORES AND NEWS FROM AUS OPEN

WHAT SERENA GOT WRONG ABOUT EQUAL PAY

HAVE WE SEEN THE LAST OF ROGER FEDERER?

MEET STEFANOS TSITIPAS: THE FED SLAYER

“The waves were covering us every two or three seconds,” Tsitsipas said.

“We couldn’t breathe, I felt like I was slowly, slowly drowning.

Stefanos Tsitsipas roars as he takes another point against Switzerland's Roger Federer during his upset victory on Sunday night. Picture: AFP

“It was the only time in my life that I felt that I was few seconds from drowning and I felt this feeling of dying.”

Putting his own life at risk, Tsitsipas’s father swam out to save his son, after finding a rock for the trio to cling on to.

It was an experience, Tsitsipas said, which has shaped his whole life perspective and aggressive style of play.

Melbourne has a new hero with Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas drawing good numbers to his practice session. Picture: AAP

Already the youngest player ranked in the top-20, the long-haired Greek sensation is attracting droves of new fans with his You Tube movies and podcasts, the 100-watt smile, brilliant volleys and that stylish one-handed backhand.

He has become so popular with the Melbourne-Greek locals that Melbourne restaurant Stalactites even named a souvlaki after him last week.

Certainly, the spotlight doesn’t seem to faze Tsitsipas.

Like we saw at the net against Federer, and most likely will again be on display today against Spain’s Roberto Bautiusta-Agut in the quarter-final, Tsitsipas said he learned to fear nothing on the tennis court anymore, after the near-miss at sea.

Stefanos Tsitsipas says his near-death experience taught him to “fear nothing on the court”.

“My perspective about everything changed, my brain changed,” he told ATP’s ‘My Story’.

“I saw all the things differently on the court and I felt absolutely zero fear on the court.”

Federer, one of Tsitsipas’s greatest idols and tennis inspirations, paid the youngster the ultimate compliment after the fourth-round clash, which some believe, represents a changing of the guard on the men’s circuit.

“I definitely see him being high up in the game for a long time,” Federer said.

Tsitsipas’s popularity means Bautista — Agut will again play the familiar role of villain on Rod Laver Arena today.

The Spaniard, who has spent the past five years ranked inside the top-30, sent Andy Murray out in the first round despite incredible support for the retiring champion Scotsman and then local charge John Millman.

Stefanos Tsitsipas takes a sip from his water bottle during a practice session. Picture: AAP

Ranked No. 24, Bautista Agut is doggedly determined, and reliable on both sides of the court, sweeping past sixth-seed Marin Cilic in his third five-set win of the tournament on Sunday.

If Tsitsipas is the flamboyant and entertaining one, Bautista’s defensive skills at the baseline are equally admirable, albeit a little less sexy.

Bautista-Agut, 30, will attempt to draw Tsitsipas into longer rallies, and frustrate him, for a shot at the Spaniard’s first grand slam semi-final.

The winner will take on the victor of the Rafael Nadal versus Frances Tiafoe battle.

“I have had to fight so hard to stay very focus,” Bautista-Agut said.

“It’s been a great month for me and for my tennis.”

Experience the best of international tennis LIVE. SIGN UP NOW!