“I got drunk for the first time with Rafa and Roger”: Stefanos Tsitsipas recalls wild Laver Cup night

Stefanos Tsitsipas recently shared a vivid memory from his debut at the 2019 Laver Cup, focusing on a moment that went far beyond tennis: drinking alcohol for the first time with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

The event, held in Geneva, marked the third edition of the Laver Cup, where Team Europe defeated Team World 13-11. Tsitsipas not only participated in doubles with Federer and Nadal but also navigated the social rituals of top-level tennis, an environment rarely accessible to young players.

The former world No. 3 emphasized the contrast between Nadal’s introverted nature and Federer’s confident, playful personality. “Rafa is a bit of an introvert; he is not going to talk like Roger does,” the Greek commented in an interview on the podcast What’s the Call. “Roger is a very confident guy. He will come to you, talk to you, ask you silly questions. He is a kid, Roger is a kid, in a good way. I like Roger being this way,” he said, reflecting on the unusual bonding moment with legends of the sport.

On that occasion, Tsitsipas was a key figure in the tournament, defeating Taylor Fritz on the opening day – giving Team Europe an early advantage. He then paired with Nadal in doubles, losing to Nick Kyrgios and Jack Sock. On the final day, Tsitsipas teamed up with Federer for doubles, being defeated by John Isner and Sock.

Team Europe faced a dramatic comeback scenario, trailing 7-11 and needing two wins to secure victory. Federer beat Isner in straight sets, and in the decisive match, Alexander Zverev overcame Milos Raonic in a super tie-break, marking the third consecutive win to seal the European team triumph.

Tsitsipas detailed the moment when he officially “got drunk” for the first time in his life, guided by Federer and Nadal. He admitted being completely unfamiliar with alcohol and uncertain what to order. “I got drunk for the first time with Rafa and Roger [at the Laver Cup]. That was the very first time I ever drank alcohol in my life,” the 2019 ATP Finals champion said. “Great way to start it actually, I couldn’t ask for anything better.#

"I had no idea what to order. I had never tried anything in my life. Roger is like, ‘Come on, you’ve got to have a drink,’ and I am like, 'Ok, if Roger says I have got to have a drink, I have got to have a drink.'”

The Greek described the night as a celebration among young stars and seasoned champions alike. Dominic Thiem – who had contributed a win against Shapovalov and later lost in the final day – joined the festivities, contributing to a lively atmosphere that blurred lines between mentorship and camaraderie. “It was a very fun night. Me and Domi [Thiem] were on top of the tables dancing and singing. There was a nice group of people there, family, friends.”

Beyond partying, Tsitsipas reflected on the team element of the Laver Cup. Unlike the typical competitive week on the ATP Tour, the event emphasized shared goals and mutual support. “It was one of those nights that makes you appreciate tennis for being a team sport, because that week we were all teammates, we were not competing against each other."

Meanwhile, Tsitsipas’ present form on tour has been underwhelming, following a second-round defeat at the Rotterdam Open this week, falling to the Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp. It has been nearly ten months since he last advanced past the second round of a tournament – back in the Barcelona Open 2025 in April, when he reached the quarterfinals before losing to Arthur Fils.

The Greek also suffered disappointing early exits in Adelaide (first round) and the Australian Open (second round) and currently sits at No. 32 in the ATP rankings. This month, he will defend his title in Dubai and risks dropping further in the rankings if he cannot quickly accumulate points and wins, potentially falling outside the top 50.

Tsitsipas’ next challenges are in the Middle East, competing at the ATP 500 events in Doha and Dubai, before traveling to North America to contest Indian Wells. Performance in these tournaments will be key to re-establishing his form and maintaining a top-tier ranking for the remainder of the season.