Stefanos Tsitsipas Pays Heartfelt Tribute to Greece’s ‘Terrible’ Train Tragedy Victims While Fueling Inspired Dubai Run

February 28, 2023, was the day when two trains collided head-on in the Thessaly region of Greece, south of the Tempe Valley, between the villages of Tempi and Evangelismos, killing 57 people—many of them young students returning from a long weekend of Carnival celebrations and Clean Monday. The disaster sparked nationwide protests, with citizens demanding justice and answers. Two years later, wounds remain open, and emotions are raw. As Stefanos Tsitsipas, who describes Greece as “his home, his roots, and his shell”, stepped onto the court for his semifinal against Tallon Griekspoor on Friday, he wasn’t just carrying his racket—he was carrying the weight of a nation’s tragedy.

Tsitsipas took to Instagram soon before his match with Griekspoor to relay his emotions to his fans. This wasn’t just a fleeting sentiment—it was a powerful statement from one of Greece’s biggest sporting icons—made on the second anniversary of the Tempi train disaster, the deadliest in the country’s history and the most serious railway accident in Europe since 2013.

“Uniting with the whole of the Greek society, my thoughts on this day go to the families of the people who lost their lives in the terrible train crash two years ago,” Tsitsipas wrote in his Instagram story before the match. “The match I will play today, and all the strength and effort I will put in it, is dedicated to the memory of these people.”

With his dedication set in stone, Tsitsipas delivered a clinical 6-4, 6-4 victory against Griekspoor, reaching his first hard-court final since 2023. Returning to Dubai for the first time since 2020, the Greek player has now reached three consecutive finals at the tournament. He previously finished as runner-up to Roger Federer in 2019 and Novak Djokovic in 2020. Well, his tribute in Dubai wasn’t the first time he spoke out on issues affecting his country.

The 2021 Greece wildfires were a devastating series of fires that swept across the country in August. Fueled by a record-breaking heatwave, with temperatures soaring to 47.1 °C (116.8 °F), the wildfires resulted in tragic losses: three lives were lost, at least 20 people were injured, and numerous homes were destroyed. Back then, the Greek tennis player had urged people to take better care of the environment. “We should fight as a team, I am in contact with many people,” said Tsitsipas, in a statement.

Yet, his biggest statement for his country came after his recent semis match in Dubai.

Stefanos Tsitsipas channels raw emotions into yet another Greek victory

Asked about his emotional tribute, the 25-year-old didn’t shy away from the depth of his feelings. “It’s more like honoring the people that were involved in this event,” he said. “They went through very difficult times. It was a big tragedy in my country.” But beyond remembrance, Tsitsipas spoke about the power of sport—a power that extends beyond borders and grief.

“I feel like in a way I’m responsible and I’m a spokesperson through sport at least for my own country, trying to lead good examples and positive things in the younger generation of my country, sort of providing solace and providing sort of a unity through that.”

“Through tennis I feel like there’s a lot of unity that can be brought, and through sport especially. It’s sort of the place it unites people and makes people stronger.”

Now, with his Dubai final set, Tsitsipas, who will face Canada’s Félix Auger-Aliassime, is on the brink of his first title of 2025. His journey this week has been reminiscent of the form that took him to two Grand Slam finals. His movements look sharp, his forehand is brimming with confidence, and it looks like he is ready to take it home.

But for Tsitsipas, this match is about more than a trophy—it’s about continuing to honor the memory of those he played for in the semifinals. A win on Saturday would be his 12th career title, but this one would carry a deeper meaning. Because sometimes, sport isn’t just about lifting trophies—it’s about lifting people.