The coronavirus crisis has certainly been a big obstacle for athletes trying to remain in good shape. But Stefanos Tsitsipas has found a bright side within the lockdown by taking up activities he wouldn’t have the time to previously.
During a teleconference call with Greece’s Prime Minister, the 21-year-old tennis star told Kyriakos Mitsotakis:
“"It's an opportunity to spend some more time with my family and do things I didn't have time to do before.
"Specifically, at the moment on a daily basis I'm trying to learn some French, it's something I've always wanted but I didn't have time devote into it and there’s an opportunity now."
The world number 6 player is currently in southern France, at the Mouratoglou tennis academy.
Participating in the online chat with Mr. Mitsotakis were Pyrros Dimas, Nikos Kaklamanakis, Anna Korakaki, Lefteris Petrounia, Grigoris Polychronidis, Maria Sakkari and Katerina Stefanidi, as well as retired athletes with managerial roles in the sports industry.
Among the challenges discussed was the inability for athletes to retain the same regular exercise routine as was before the coronavirus crisis hit.
"I think that things will be getting harder from now on and the more we sit, the more it will take us to return to the normality of things for us,” said Olympic pole vault champion, Katerina Stefanidi.
Overall, vibes were positive during the discussion, with many athletes congratulating the PM for the government’s response to the crisis so far.
Mr. Mitsotakis took the opportunity to personally thank the athletes for contributing in efforts to promote the “Stay at Home” message.
He also stressed that, if the time is right for gradual relaxations on restrictions from May onwards, increased opportunities for exercise will be amongst his priorities.
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