Key Takeaways
- Stefanos Tsitsipas explained in Almaty that dating someone in the same sport created excessive pressure and duplicate stress around tennis.
- Tsitsipas noted that constant public interest in his private life made him deeply uncomfortable during his past relationship.
- The former world No. 3 found “peace and tranquillity” away from the intensity of dating an active tour player.
Life away from the tour spotlight
Stepping away from tennis matters just as much as preparation on the court. Stefanos Tsitsipas addressed that balance during his appearance in Almaty, where he reflected on the complexities that arise when two touring athletes share a relationship.
Speaking without mentioning former partner Paula Badosa by name, the Greek player pointed out how demanding it can be when a couple shares identical professional pressures. Tsitsipas noted that his current situation allows him far greater calm than when his personal life was closely linked to another active player.
Tsitsipas highlighted that he has uncovered “peace and tranquillity” outside that intense dynamic.
The pair started seeing each other in 2023 and remained together until mid-2025. Their high-profile romance frequently captured media headlines, generated joint online content, and received regular focus from tournament broadcasts.
The burden of public exposure
That high degree of visibility did not suit the former world No. 3, who acknowledged that intense media scrutiny made him deeply uneasy.
Tsitsipas explained that he felt heavily constrained by constant public attention, noting that the overall environment became “too much” to sustain.
Badosa had previously addressed the end of their relationship during Wimbledon 2026, describing the extended aftermath as an exceptionally difficult period. Tsitsipas chose to avoid heated exchanges at the time and instead used his recent press appearance to explain his need to keep private life away from work.
Tsitsipas is now in a relationship with Kristen Thoms and emphasized that stepping off the tour should allow him to leave tennis behind entirely rather than having everyday domestic life constantly reflect it.
ATP Almaty - Stefanos Tsitsipas's projected path
Tsitsipas in Almaty, ranking, and results in 2026
Currently ranked no.39, Tsitsipas has achieved a 39-22 record in 2026. Tsitsipas is participating in Almaty where he beat the world no.82 Aleksandar Kovacevic 7-6(9) 3-6 6-3 and the world no.389 Mikhail Kukushkin 6-1 6-2.
Stefanos Tsitsipas will square off with the world no.73 James Duckworth in the quarter on Friday at 1:00 pm on Center Court. Their actual record is 1-0 for Tsitsipas.
Stefanos clinched 1 title in 2026 in Gstaad.
Stefanos won 14 titles in his career: 2 on hard courts, 6 on clay courts, 5 on indoor courts and 1 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
