The U.S. Open commenced today in New York City, showcasing the world’s top tennis talents in this year’s final Grand Slam event. Among the competitors, one player is capturing moments off the court through his passion for photography – Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The Greek tennis star, who is known for his keen eye on the court, has found photography to help him appreciate the finer details in life, moving him away from the pressure of perfectionism. Tsitsipas expressed that this shift in mindset has positively influenced his game as well.
His interest in photography was sparked in 2016 after watching YouTuber Casey Neistat and purchasing his first camera. Tsitsipas aimed to share his life experiences through vlogging, inspired by the personal touch of Neistat’s content in a realm where few tennis players ventured.
Tsitsipas, currently ranked 11th, has used his YouTube platform to document his life, including adventures from hiking in the Swiss Alps to celebrating victories like his win at the Monte-Carlo ATP Masters earlier this year. He believes that engaging in creative pursuits has enriched his personal development, making him feel more intellectual and sophisticated beyond just his tennis career.
His achievements since acquiring the camera have been notable, reaching at least the quarterfinals in every tournament that year. Notably, French coach Patrick Mouratoglou, who has coached Serena Williams, affirmed that Tsitsipas’ artistic interests contribute positively to his tennis abilities, allowing him to disconnect from the sport when needed.
In New York, Tsitsipas enjoys capturing scenes from locations such as the Upper East Side and the Brooklyn Bridge, but first, he will focus on his match in the first round of the U.S. Open scheduled for Tuesday morning.