Stefanos Tsitsipas pretends to be a tourist after New York taxi driver brutally mocks him

Tuesday, 08 September 2026 at 20:30

Stefanos Tsitsipas had barely finished his US Open campaign when he found himself receiving some unexpected advice about... Stefanos Tsitsipas. The Greek star shared a hilarious encounter with a New York taxi driver who apparently had plenty of opinions about his passenger without realising who was sitting in the back seat.

Tsitsipas' tournament ended on Monday with a comprehensive 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 defeat to Ben Shelton in the fourth round, but his trip through New York still provided plenty of reasons for optimism. The former world No. 3 had arrived at Flushing Meadows trying to rebuild his confidence after a difficult period and ultimately produced his best Grand Slam result in more than two years.

But before turning his attention to the positives from the tournament, Tsitsipas gave fans a glimpse of one particularly memorable moment away from the court. A routine taxi ride through New York quickly turned into an unusual conversation about his own career — and one of the most famous controversies associated with him.

The driver had apparently followed Tsitsipas closely enough to know about his lengthy bathroom breaks, but not closely enough to recognise the man himself. The Greek decided not to correct him.

A taxi driver, Narnia and Stefanos Tsitsipas

Tsitsipas shared the story shortly after his elimination from the US Open, following an encounter with a New York taxi driver who apparently had something to say about one of the tournament's most recognisable players. The amusing part was that the driver had no idea Tsitsipas himself was sitting in the back seat.

During the ride, the driver asked the Greek whether he knew Stefanos Tsitsipas. Rather than immediately revealing his identity, the two-time Grand Slam finalist decided to play along and gave him an answer that only encouraged the conversation to continue.

“Taxi driver in New York asked me if I knew Stefanos Tsitsipas. I said, ‘We're very close.’”

Stefanos Tsitsipas touches his ear and encourages the crowd.

The driver then took the opportunity to send some rather specific advice to the player through his supposed friend.

He referenced one of the more infamous storylines of Tsitsipas' career: the lengthy bathroom breaks that once caused considerable controversy on the ATP Tour. “He said, ‘Good. Tell him to stop taking bathroom breaks like he's searching for Narnia.’”

Rather than ending the joke by telling the driver who he was actually talking to, Tsitsipas remained incognito for the rest of the journey. “I pulled my hood up and pretended I was a tourist from Oslo.”

It was an amusing end to his stay in New York, particularly after his tournament had been stopped by an inspired Shelton. The American produced one of his most convincing performances of the fortnight to dispatch Tsitsipas in straight sets and reach the quarterfinals.

Taxi driver in New York asked me if I knew Stefanos Tsitsipas.

I said, "We're very close."

He said, "Good. Tell him to stop taking bathroom breaks like he's searching for Narnia."

I pulled my hood up and pretended I was a tourist from Oslo.
— Stefanos Tsitsipas (@stefanos) September 7, 2026

A much-needed week for Tsitsipas

Despite the defeat, the US Open represented an important step forward for Tsitsipas. He defeated Arthur Fils, Lloyd Harris and Jiri Lehecka on his way to the fourth round, reaching the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time since Roland Garros 2024.

The result ended a difficult run of nine consecutive Grand Slam appearances in which Tsitsipas had failed to progress beyond the second round. His fourth-round appearance was also his best-ever result at the US Open and helped him climb back to world No. 44.

There have been encouraging signs for the Greek in recent months. Tsitsipas was ranked as low as No. 85 in mid-July, but has steadily rebuilt his position since then, including winning the Gstaad Open. His run in New York now provides further evidence that the former world No. 3 may finally be moving in the right direction again.

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His defeat to Shelton also marked the end of the one-handed backhand at this year's US Open, something Tsitsipas later described as evidence of a declining art in modern tennis.

“It’s not me having feelings. I think it’s a fact. I’m stating the obvious. If you compare to the 1950s or 1960s, you see a massive decline on the one-handed backhand.”

Tsitsipas will leave New York disappointed by the manner of his defeat, but with considerably more positives than he has taken from most of his Grand Slam appearances over the past two years. His ranking is rising again, he has finally returned to the second week of a major and, judging by his latest taxi ride, even New York drivers are keeping a close eye on his career.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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