Facing Serena Williams in mixed doubles will be a good lesson: Tsitsipas

Speaking to reporters, after his opening loss to Briton Cameron Norrie at the Hopman Cup on Saturday, the world no. 15 commented about facing Serena in Greeces match against USA, in mixed doubles.

Williams and Frances Tiafoe are representing the US, while Maria Sakkari and Tsitsipas are playing for Greece. It will be a great experience, said Tsitsipas. I cant say anything more. Sharing the court with her will be a big lesson for me and Maria as well.

I will try to play my best game and win against them. It will be a good preparation. Explaining his loss, Tsitsipas added: It was tough to adjust from the very beginning. Cameron played really well, but I really felt uncomfortable, I dont know why.

Probably because of the weather conditions. The heat here its a bit different. Its tougher conditions than Dubai where I was preparing. I feel like Im getting tired easily, which Im not happy with because Ive been working really hard in the off-season. Later in the day in Perth, Matthew Ebden defeated Lucas Pouille 3-6, 7-6, 6-2.

The Australian said: There wasnt much rhythm until the second set, late. Lucas was playing fast; a lot of power in his serve. I was trying to do the same; be a little more aggressive, a little bit forward to the net and that worked out in the second and the third (sets) luckily. Ashleigh Barty defeated Alize Cornet 7-5, 6-3: Its always an extremely tough match, which is a little bit perfect in a sense.

I knew I had to be ready; I had to hit one million balls, said the Australian player. There is a little bit of polish coming and with a couple of matches that will come. But Im very happy tonight. ALSO READ: Rafael Nadal: Worse players than David Ferrer won a Grand Slam title