As Stefanos Tsitsipas has accomplished everything in tennis, there’s no need to.
Jordanian talent has a bright future, according to Stefanos Tsitsipas. The 20-year-old, who had the chance to hit with a Greek great in Madrid this week, wowed Abdullah Shelbayh, the world no. 7 player.
Jordanian rising star Abdullah Shelbayh has received high praise from world no. 7 Stefanos Tsitsipas, who also predicted that the young tennis player would have a great future.
At the ATP Masters 1000 event in Madrid earlier this week, Shelbayh, 20, lost in the second round of qualification.
Despite this setback, he stayed at the Caja Magica to train with his Spanish coach Fernando Verdasco and had the opportunity to hit with the world’s top players.
This week, Shelbayh had multiple practice sessions with Tsitsipas, and the Greek star is pleased with what he has seen thus far from the Jordanian lefty.
Tsitsipas stated on Saturday, “I’m very certain he can be in the top 50 as well, and I genuinely believe he’s a top-100 player in the future.”
“Now, I believe that the difference between a player in the top 50 and the top 100 is that the former needs to improve in order to reach the latter.
I truly appreciate tiny nations like this that have great success in tennis, so I would really want to see him succeed and be good. As I am from one myself,.
Shelbayh is the first player from Jordan to compete in or win a match on the ATP Tour. Shelbayh played at the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah last year and peaked at 181 in the global rankings earlier this season.
“He’s a decent young man. Rafa Nadal Academy alumnus Tsitsipas continued, “I really like him.”
I’m not very familiar with his training routine or routines, but if he’s truly committed, has a strong desire to improve, and sets his mind to achieving his goals, I have no doubt that we’ll see him in the top 50 very soon.
Abdullah Shelbayh has the skill to rank among the top 50 players, according to Stefanos Tsitsipas. AP
But we have spoken a few times thus far. It’s encouraging that he is ready to learn. So I hope the best for him. In the future, I hope we can practice a little bit more.
This week’s Madrid Open has an Arab vibe to it thanks to the participation of Egyptian Mayar Sherif and Tunisian Ons Jabeur in the WTA competition, as well as Moroccan prodigy Reda Bennani and German-Lebanese star Benjamin Hassan in the men’s qualifying round.
The 2022 Madrid champion Jabeur is overjoyed to see more Arab athletes succeed on the ATP and WTA circuits.
It really does feel wonderful. I obviously talk to Mayar a little bit, but today was my first time seeing Reda, and I’m happy with his level,” Jabeur said, referring to Bennani, 17, who lost in the first qualifying round despite taking a set off former top-50 player Brandon Nakashima.
“I had a brief conversation with him and encouraged him to keep going, as it’s good to see a younger Arab player rising to prominence.
And it’s very essential to me. I always want to take the initiative and let them know that I’m there for them whenever they need anything or want to talk.
Shelbayh, who has been training with Jabeur under his instructor Verdasco this week, watched her victory over Leylah Fernandez in the third round on Saturday from her box.
“Abdullah is a really humorous boy that I have known for a long time. I enjoy who he is. Actually, at the moment, we’re sharing the coach. Fernando and I are sharing with him a bit. It’s good to have him around, and I always make fun of him for having the better drop shot, Jabeur chuckled.
Three-time Grand Slam finalist Jabeur will next play Jelena Ostapenko, the past winner of the French Open, to advance to the Madrid quarterfinals.
Sherif, in the in the meantime, won her first two matches of the year at the Caja Magica before losing to Elena Rybakina, ranked fourth in the world, 6-1, 6-4 in the third round on Sunday.
