TSITSIPAS-SAKKARI/Hibino-Uchiyama
6-2, 6-3
Team Greece - 3
Team Japan - 0
Q. A lot of energy in the mixed doubles. Was that due in part not to just have fun but recognizing the importance of winning every match here?
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: I think it was obvious that every match counts. That was the reason we decided to play it the way we played it. We don't want to be stuck in situations where sets started being counted, games started being counted. Trying to avoid that scenario.
Every match counts here. We're trying to put the best duo that we have in the team to get the job done.
Q. It wasn't just your first match back today. You played two matches. How is the back after back-to-back matches? What were you most happy about in your singles win?
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: I don't have any complaints so far. Nothing that bothers me, actually.
I'm pleased with the way I actually finished the match because I really started finding a lot of rhythm into my game in later stages of the match.
I honestly believe my first game of the match was actually pretty awful from my side. I felt like I was completely useless. But once I understood how to play, once I got a better visual of the corners that I want to target on the court, playing a little bit with more clarity, not rushing into decisions and not rushing into big shots, I felt like my game started penetrating more, started hurting more.
In the longer run I was trying to do it instantly and it cost me to get started with the match. But I was not too concerned. I was just trying to rally and find my opportunities and chances there.
Q. Does the body feel good? Will the real test be in the morning, how you wake up?
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: I've done a lot of work into avoiding moments like this, not having to deal with situations like that again. I would expect it to be fine tomorrow. That would probably mean that we're not going to the right direction, not just myself with the exercises that I've been doing, but also with the doctor.
I have a lot of faith in the doctor that treated me. He's considered one of the best. I am really thankful that he had the opportunity to see me and help me out because my situation was quite urgent. There were a lot of things on the line for me. I had to clear those things out.
Normally it should be fine. That's the goal of 2026. The goal of 2026 is to be playing best-of-five matches, hopefully not too often, but if they're needed I will have to stay on court until five sets and to be able to come back fresh the next day and have a live hit, just like any other player.
Recently that was tough to do. I'm just hoping I get back into this spinning wheel again, the one I'm used to for so many years.
Q. You sat courtside for Maria's match. How do you balance supporting your teammates but getting a proper warm-up?
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Look, I think it's a great visual warm-up because you get to see plays, you get to see strategies being applied on the court. You see it from an angle that is different from what you're used to, especially when you watch it on TV.
I think these type of live moments help me out, get warmed up. Just like a chess match, it's nice to get a nice visual of it before you go play your own match to maybe explore some ideas. Another thing that you can get is inspired by the way Maria plays, the way she chooses her patterns and the way she chooses to build her points.
These type of things can be obviously applied to the match later on. I'm trying to read the game from that perspective. I'm not thinking what she could have done better, what she could have avoided not doing, et cetera. I see it purely from the perspective of game strategy, things that you can actually use more often on the court.
I think there's a lot to learn from everyone. Like WTA, ATP, anyone can teach you stuff about the game.
Q. Petros, the equation now is nice and easy. Win against Great Britain and you're into the quarterfinals. Do you like your chances?
PETROS TSITSIPAS: Yeah, I do like our chances, especially after getting six sets to love today. That's very important for the qualification, even as a second team. We obviously want to make the first spot. That's our goal.
I was very surprised with Maria's level today. She produced some very consistent and flashy tennis at times. She has improved a lot in her off-season. It's obvious. You can see it. It's very visible.
I'm very excited to see her play against Raducanu. I think it's going to be a hell of a matchup to, yeah, visually just see how they play.
For Stefanos, I'm also very happy because he got through quite comfortably today. He played good tennis, served very well. He used his weapons in a very efficient way.
Yeah, I'm pretty confident we're going to get through that challenge, as well. We're going to see ourselves in the quarterfinals.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports