Rooting for your favorite football team is a feeling that only a true fan can understand! Although it might seem a bit odd to talk about a different sport in the world of tennis, the integration of the sport’s popularity makes it legit. Stefanos Tsitsipas, besides his sheer focus on the technicalities of the racket sport, also has a knack for football. While the players now have time to unwind themselves from the competition after the end of the US Open, the Greek ATP star decided to fulfill his desire by stepping into the field himself.

Stefanos Tsitsipas recently made a surprising appearance on the pitch at Stadio Luigi Ferraris for the Serie A clash between Genoa and Roma. The Greek tennis sensation revealed that he has been a loyal fan of Genoa for many years, a connection that started in a rather unusual way. But he didn’t just watch the game from the stands, also joining the Genoa players for the warm-up session. Delighting the fans by hitting tennis balls into the crowd, Tsitsipas even participated in some football drills with the team’s goalkeepers.

A video showcasing the essence of these moments made its way on social media. While it was receiving various reactions from the fans, Australian ATP star Nick Kyrgios also decided to be a part of the conversation. Delighted with the surprise appearance from the Greek co-player, the player-turned-commentator wrote, “Pretty good” giving out his excited thoughts.

Speaking to DAZN before the match, Tsitsipas unveiled his excitement about being able to attend the game and meet the passionate fans. “I’m very happy to be here,” he said. “I’ve been supporting Genoa for such a long time, so I am super grateful for the opportunity. These are some of the nicest, most enthusiastic fans in Italy, so I’m really happy to be here.”

When asked how he became a Genoa fan, the 26-year-old revealed that it all began when he and his brother were playing a video game during their childhood. “I had to pick a team, and I saw Genoa, thought the logo was amazing. That’s how we date back,” he shared. He admitted he never imagined this childhood choice would lead him to a real-life experience with the team. “If you had asked me back then if I’d be here right now with the team I picked, I wouldn’t believe you,” the ATP star added. However, this wasn’t the only moment when Tsitsipas unleashed his skills on the soccer field.

Stefanos Tsitsipas talks about his experience playing football with Novak Djokovic

Back at the 2024 Indian Wells Masters, Stefanos Tsitsipas talked about a fun football match he played with tennis legend Novak Djokovic. Tsitsipas, after his win over the French qualifier Lucas Pouille 6-3, 6-2 to reach the third round, was interviewed by Prakash Amritraj on Tennis Channel. Amritraj asked Tsitsipas an intriguing question about who was the better soccer player between him and the Serbian tennis great.

With a wide smile on his face, Tsitsipas responded that he wasn’t ready to give a direct answer just yet. “Not in a position to comment yet on that, I think we’ll have to play a few more matches with Novak,” he said. The Greek pro didn’t want to rush into a decision and seemed to enjoy keeping things light-hearted. Tsitsipas also mentioned that Djokovic seemed to have a more relaxed approach to the friendly football matches they’ve had. “He looked quite relaxed while playing those, I was not ready to tackle him yet, which I’m sure he wouldn’t appreciate if I did,” he said in a witty tone.

The comment made it clear that while both players are extremely competitive in their own sport, they can still be playful and friendly when kicking around a football together. What’s your take on Tsitsipas’ exchange with Djokovic? Share in the comments below.