Stefanos Tsitsipas slams Australian Open stars over 'ego' and 'attitude' in locker room

Stefanos Tsitsipas believes certain tennis players should park their egos and learn from the example set by NBA icon Giannis Antetokounmpo. Tsitsipas was dumped out of the Australian Open in the second round, losing in four sets at the hands of Tomas Machac. Before that, he managed to get through his first-round tie against Japanese player Shintaro Mochizuki.

Tsitsipas dropped the opening set but battled back to draw level before the match was suspended when a ball kid threw up on court. Play was eventually able to resume and Tsitsipas won the next two sets to claim a 4-6 6-3 7-6 7-6 triumph. Afterwards, he was quizzed on the dynamics of elite players all sharing a locker room and claimed that some of his rivals have 'an attitude and a bit of an ego'.

Asked if there was any awkwardness between the players, the 27-year-old responded: "We don't have a lot of situations like that. I feel like everyone is cool with everyone. Obviously, there are players that it's harder to get a 'hi' from when you pass them.

"I was having a conversation with my fitness coach today and, you know, one thing I don't understand about certain tennis players is how they develop a bit of an attitude and a bit of an ego once they make one or two good results.

"Their whole personality kind of changes. I wouldn't say arrogant. Perhaps some of them."

Tsitsipas went on to highlight Antetokounmpo as a shining example of a top-class athlete with humility, saying that he wished more tennis players would follow in his footsteps.

"I just wish more tennis players weren't attached to their results and to what they do that determines who they are," he added.

"I love humble people. That's one of the reasons I actually admire a lot Giannis Antetokounmpo. He's achieved so much through basketball. He's one of the most humble athletes I've ever met and spent time with.

"I wish more tennis players were like that. I'm not saying tennis players are arrogant, I'm just saying there are a few instances of tennis players here and there that, you know, you will try and say hi to them.

"I'm not asking to like have a conversation with that particular player, but it will be nice when you cross someone, at least say 'hi'.

"I've realised certain people are just not at the same frequency, that's all. I just wish it was more normal on the tour to be like that."