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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider For the Tsitsipas family, Davis Cup tennis is in their blood

For the Tsitsipas family, Davis Cup tennis is in their blood

Published Mar 4, 2020 12:00 am
By Kristel Satumbaga The Davis Cup is more than just a competition as far as the Greek team is concerned. It is a family affair. Stefanos Tsitsipas during a press conference for Davis Cup at Philippine Columbian Association in Manila, March 3, 2020. (MB Photo / Jansen Romero) Stefanos Tsitsipas during a press conference for Davis Cup at Philippine Columbian Association in Manila, March 3, 2020. (MB Photo / Jansen Romero) Three of the Tsitsipas family are with the Greek team for the World Group II playoffs tie against the Philippines Friday: brothers Stefanos and Petros, and father-coach Apostolos. And more than blood, they also treat the rest of the team as family. https://twitter.com/mbsportsonline/status/1235065763649605632 “Davis Cup is a special event. It’s involving the country, it’s very traditional with tennis people coming along and achieving together one goal. So it’s like a family,” said Apostolos Wednesday at the Philippine Columbian Association court in Paco, Manila. Stefanos, ranked No. 6 in the world, valued the team dynamics formed since they started playing together last September. “The chemistry is unbelievable,” he said. “Playing with my brother and my father, as well as with my teammates (Michail Pervolarakis and Markos Kalovelonis) gives me like a closer bond to them. We’re acting as a union. We know each other well.” The Greek team, from left, coach Apostolos Tsitsipas, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Michail Pervolarakis and Petros Tsitsipas. (Kristel Satumbaga) The Greek team, from left, coach Apostolos Tsitsipas, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Michail Pervolarakis and Petros Tsitsipas. (Kristel Satumbaga) Team captain Dimitris Chatzinikolaou sees a great future for the squad. “We believe that this young team has great future and potential. This team will not change. We are friends, we are a great company and that is very important," he said. The team, however, is not looking beyond winning this tie against the Philippines – for now. The Greeks are coming from Group III of the Europe Zone under the old format. “It’s a step by step . First, we have to achieve this (tie) first, then we’ll discuss,” Dimitris said. This will be the first time that the two nations are facing each other with the winning team advancing to Group II in September. Draw will be on Thursday to determine the two singles matchups on Friday, as well as the doubles and reverse singles on Saturday. READ MORE: PH team optimistic despite odds against Stefanos Tsitsipas-led Greek squad
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