Tennis runs in the Tsitsipas family. While Stefanos Tsitsipas picked up the tennis racquet with passion, looking up to his father, his brother’s journey with tennis has been a totally different roller coaster ride. The Monte Carlo champion’s younger brother had his own childish reason for getting into tennis, just like the eldest sibling of his household.

Petros Tsitsipas started playing tennis with his elder brother when he was just six, and Stefanos was eight. But when the 23-year-old started to learn the tricks of the trade, he just wanted to be like his brother, not knowing what the future holds for him.

What made Stefanos Tsitsipas’ younger brother get into tennis? 

Being the younger of the two siblings, Petros always wanted to follow in his brother’s footsteps. But there were times, especially when they were young when he felt himself wanting to jump in with a racquet in his hand out of pure jealousy. In an interview with the ATP Tour, he stated, “I was quite jealous of him because he got to play tennis with my parents, and I was just outside of the court watching. So I remember I just jumped on court, grabbed the racquet, and I tried to play with him.”

Even though he was reluctant at first, he took action when he realized that he would be left out as his parents and older brother enjoyed themselves while playing tennis. However, he knew that his goal was much bigger than the jealousy factor.

Apparently, both of them played doubles for the first time at an under-14 event in Greece, even after practicing together for almost their early childhood days. The former Australian Open finalist once remembered how they would battle in a self-made court of their own before playing in front of a bigger crowd.

The elder sibling stated, “In fact, we had our own mini-tennis court in our basement that we both built, and we managed to get a mini net to complete the whole tennis court.” Subsequently, Tsisipas recently highlighted that he had one dream he wanted to achieve, especially this year, with his brother.

Stefanos shares a dream he wants to achieve with his brother

He announced his decision to compete in the Olympic Games after winning his first ATP championship of the year. At the same time, he said that it would be a dream come true for him to compete in doubles in Paris with his younger brother.

The Monte Carlo champion said, “What I want to do is clear. If I manage to get in the Olympic Games with my brother Petros, I would want to play singles and doubles with him. I would say that playing three events in a single tournament is a bit too much for me, physically taxing, and I would want to avoid that.” While he will be competing in the singles category and doubles too, he won’t be seen playing mixed doubles with Maria Sakkari.

Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see the Tsitsipas brothers compete together in the Olympics. However, what are your thoughts on his younger brother’s early tennis memory? Do let us know in the comment section below.