What separates the best from the rest? Tsitsipas shares his thoughts on the "introverted" sport 

When tennis players walk onto the court to play a singles match they leave everything and everyone at the gate. It's a solo game, there is no team on the singles court—all decisions, shot-making and strategy is up to whoever is holding the racquet. It's unlike so many other sports that have teammates to rely on and because of that it can be difficult to manage.

But Stefanos Tsitsipas who picked up a racquet at a young age has mastered what he deems to be an "introverted" sport.

"Tennis is a very introverted sport and you kind of learn to manage it at a very young age. This is something you have to deal with really well and it is what separates the best players from the average players," he said on the latest episode of the Madhappy podcast.

Coming from a world No. 4 and someone who reached the final round of this year's Roland Garros, there is certainly validity in this statement. As human beings we are wired to connect and that's why this game presents many challenges. Not only do players have the task of keeping tennis balls within court lines, but they must do it with no one to lean on.

But if players are able to adjust to this type of introverted mindset and become comfortable in it, then apparently the sky is the limit.

Other than reaching his first major final this year, he also picked up his first Masters 1000 title in Monte Carlo and claimed Lyon's 250 event. Although his 2021 ended in injury, it was a solid season as he finished within the Top 5 for the first time in his young career.