"Today is manual mode": Stefanos Tsitsipas runs out of signed postcards after setting Jannik Sinner rematch

WATCH: A 'big brain' moment for Stefanos Tsitsipas as he hands out pre-signed postcards for fans after his Australian Open second-round win

When Stefanos Tsitsipas was getting set to play Tallon Griekspoor at the Australian Open, Andy Murray was probably the last person he expected to spot around the grounds.

“I saw him today before my match," Tsitsipas reflected on Friday with a grin. "I was thinking to myself, What is he doing here? He should be in bed.”

The subject of Grand Slam match scheduling reemerged as a topic of discussion after Murray and Thanasi Kokkinakis played until 4:06 a.m. just hours earlier. When asked if these scenarios were problematic, Tsitsipas said, “That's the nature of it. You have to deal with it. What can you do? It started as a reasonable time, I would say.

“There's a rule in place. They didn't break any rule. The match started at 10:00. Kokkinakis made it long. Murray made it long, too. I think tennis likes these kind of matches 'cause there's a story behind, there's a great story behind this match, and it's going to be remembered.”

The story behind the Greek’s own latest encounter was mostly written by Tsitsipas.

Beyond saving a set point at 5-6 in the second set, the three-time semifinalist was in complete control against Griekspoor to advance with a 6-2, 7-6 (5), 6-3 victory. A popular fan favorite in Melbourne and now the highest men’s seed remaining with the second-round exits of Rafael Nadal and Casper Ruud, Tsitsipas continued to command attention when at the microphone with Jim Courier afterwards.

“If there are any real estate brokers or agencies, please let me know,” he joked.

His fourth-round showdown is no laughing matter, though Tsitsipas has the benefit of carrying a 4-1 record against Jannik Sinner, whom he handled in straight sets during the quarterfinal stage here a year ago. Should he win, fans may be in luck with securing a token of the 24-year-old’s appreciation.

Towards the end of their interview, Courier asked Tsitsipas to pull out one of the pre-signed autograph cards he was seen handing out the previous round. Unfortunately, he was out of stock.

“Today is manual mode,” he relayed as chuckles echoed throughout Rod Laver Arena.

Explaining the thought process behind having autographs ready to go, Tsitsipas shared, “I would just spend 30 minutes of my time dedicating it to the fans, the people who support me. I think this is something that players neglect. My fans are important to me.

“The people that follow me, support me. Some of them don’t have the opportunity to come to my matches. They are in remote places and also in places that do not have much access to tennis. I make sure to send them postcards and sometimes letters.”

Tsitsipas improved to 7-0 in 2023 and can become his nation's first player to reach world No. 1 on either tour by clinching a maiden major trophy. Imagine the postcard possibilities.